Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has suffered a setback in his recovery from minor knee surgery last month and is expected to be sidelined until early to mid-January.
The forward has been out of action since sustaining a knee injury in Arsenal's opening Premier League match of the new season against Manchester United on August 17.
A week later, Havertz underwent knee surgery.
The 26-year-old was just a week away from returning to the matchday squad in November this year but picked up another injury in his final training session before the comeback.
The German international is currently targeting a return to match fitness by mid-next month; he has not resumed training since the injury recurrence.
Havertz could be included in Arsenal's squad for their league clash with Liverpool on January 8, but it is more likely that he will feature in the FA Cup third-round tie against Portsmouth three days later.
Havertz has been plagued by injuries this year. He suffered a hamstring tear during the North London club's pre-season training in February last season.
Arsenal are currently facing a severe overall injury crisis. Several players, including Vinícius Madueke, Gabriel Jesus and William Saliba, have returned to the squad this month.
