Kai Havertz undergoes ‘successful’ op before celebrating Arsenal win on FaceTime

Kai Havertz underwent “successful” surgery on his season-ending hamstring injury on Saturday, before celebrating Arsenal’s hard-fought win at Leicester with team-mates over FaceTime.

The 25-year-old is the Gunners’ top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions, but his campaign was brought to a premature end by the issue sustained during a training camp in Dubai.

Havertz posted on Instagram that he had gone under the knife over the weekend, with the Germany international’s rehabilitation expected to extend into Arsenal’s preparations for next season.

Posting a photograph from his hospital bed on Sunday, the forward wrote: “The last few days have been tough to process both physically and mentally. But yesterday was a good day. A successful op and a win.

“Thanks for all the messages of support over the last few days, it’s really helped.

“I’m now focused on my journey to full fitness and giving all the support I can give to the team in the background.”

Havertz’s injury has compounded the absence of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, leaving Arsenal light as they headed to the King Power Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

Super-sub Mikel Merino ended up saving the day in the role of makeshift striker, with the midfielder scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over lowly Leicester.

“It was very important,” the Netherlands international said. “Everyone knows we are a bit tight up front.

“Losing Kai is massive for us, a big blow for him. He’s been fighting all season for us.

“We can’t wait to have him back. For us now to take on the challenge and win games without him.

“We’ve had him on FaceTime in the dressing room after the match. We’ve spoken to him.”

“It’s crazy isn’t it? I couldn’t do it,” the defender said. “But it says a lot about his qualities.

“Being a midfielder and coming in this way… playing like a striker and scoring like a striker as well isn’t easy. He did an amazing job and I’m really happy for him.

“We know he’s a good finisher. But he’s never played as a striker in training, so that makes it even more crazy the way he does it. He deserves it. He’s a top guy.”

Timber lauded Merino’s “mentality” and was also fulsome in his praise of teenagers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.

Lewis-Skelly, 18, made a crucial intervention to stop Bobby De Cordova-Reid scoring shortly before Merino’s opener.

Nwaneri, 17, superbly swung in the cross for that goal, capping a mightily impressive individual display.

“Incredible,” Timber said of the forward. “He was such a threat. His finishing, the way he takes the ball and takes on a defender.

“For us, it’s a joy to see. I tried to play him as many balls as I can, just to give him that momentum. It was amazing to see.”

As for fellow academy product Lewis-Skelly and his interception, Timber said: “He saved us there.

“They are both showing us every week how good they are and how good they can become. For us, it’s a joy to see.”