Martin Odegaard, a longtime absentee, took the position of the German forward.
In the last moments of Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League loss to Inter Milan, Kai Havertz was sent off with a gory face.
The Gunners’ star had blood streaming over his face after a horrific head-on collision with an Inter Milan opponent.
7Kai Havertz was left covered in blood after a sickening head collisionCredit: TNT SPORTS
7Havertz jumped up to try and win a header at a cornerCredit: BEINSPORTS
He clashed heads with Yann Aurel BisseckCredit: Rex
Both players were left on the floor after the collisionHavertz committed to a header in the box as Arsenal attempted a late equalizer against the Italian powerhouses.
Sadly for the German, Yann Aurel Bisseck, a defender for Inter, was equally eager to clear the ball, and the two collided in midair.
Bisseck’s skull slammed right into Havertz’s eye, making him seem worse.
As blood streamed down his face, the 25-year-old required emergency medical assistance from Arsenal personnel.
In the end, Mikel Arteta had to pull his center-forward.
Fortunately, Havertz was replaced by Martin Odegaard, who made his first appearance on the field after sustaining an ankle injury when playing for Norway internationally in September.
However, the Gunners were unable to finish with any points to take back to North London, despite the return of their captain and playmaker.
In addition to losing their first Champions League match of the season, Arteta’s team gave up their first goal this season as they failed to score.
Havertz was covered in blood after the head clashCredit: Getty
He was removed from the pitch by Arsenal medical staff
7Martin Odegaard replaced the GermanCredit: GettyA contentious penalty call in the first half led to the 1-0 loss.
Mikel Merino gave Inter the penalty kick for a handball, but Arsenal players and supporters believed the Spaniard was too close to the original touch to receive it.Hakan Çalhanoğlu scored the penalty after Merino was judged to have touched the ball with his arm in an unusual posture due to Uefa’s handball regulations.
With a trip to play Premier League rivals Chelsea this weekend, Arsenal can’t afford to relax just yet.