Friday’s briefing: Havertz out for season and Merseyside clubs unite over racism

Arsenal suffered a blow with confirmation striker Kai Havertz will miss the remainder of the season because of a hamstring injury which needs surgery.

The fallout from the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park continued, with both Everton and Liverpool condemning racist abuse directed towards Toffees midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.

It was announced semi-automated offside technology will make its debut in English football in seven of the eight FA Cup fifth-round ties, while the Premier League action kicks off again on Friday night when Brighton host Chelsea.

Arsenal saw their attacking options further depleted after confirmation German forward Havertz would be set for a lengthy spell of rehabilitation.

Havertz suffered a hamstring injury during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai last week, with further examinations concluding an operation would be needed, ruling him out until the summer.

“Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season,” read a statement on Arsenal’s official website.

The news comes as a fresh blow to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta – with forward Gabriel Jesus sidelined by a knee ligament injury while widemen Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are both working their way back from hamstring problems.

Arsenal will resume with a Premier League trip to Leicester on Saturday, sitting second in the table, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

@Everton @LFC ⛔️No to Racism pic.twitter.com/hzyvWenAw2

— Abdoulaye Doucouré (@abdoudoucoure16) February 13, 2025

Everton and Liverpool have condemned the racist abuse directed towards Abdoulaye Doucoure after the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Thursday night.