Footballer from Newcastle United jokingly ridicules Kai Havertz, who is injured from Arsenal, during a conversation about the Champions League

In the upcoming football season, Arsenal will make a visit to St. James' Park at the end of September, a match that promises to be filled with intrigue and potential drama. This encounter between the Gunners and Newcastle United takes on an added dimension due to past events and recent developments.

One of the key factors that add spice to this fixture is the arrival of Kai Havertz at Arsenal. The German international, who was previously with Chelsea, has been involved in a series of altercations with Newcastle's centre-back, Dan Burn, dating back to the 2021-22 season. Their most notable clash occurred during a Chelsea victory over Newcastle in November 2022, which ended in a brawl on the pitch.

Havertz, who scored the winning goal for Chelsea in the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final, will be absent from this encounter due to a scheduled surgery on a knee injury. In his absence, Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal's summer signing, is expected to start in attack.

The Athletic has reported that surgery has been decided as the best course of action for Havertz's knee injury. The news comes as a blow to Arsenal fans, who have been impressed by the German's performance since joining the club.

Meanwhile, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes, the captain of Newcastle, participated in a social media video for the Magpies. The video, which featured them guessing the last 20 Champions League winners, has added a light-hearted touch to the forthcoming encounter.

Interestingly, it was Burn who sarcastically congratulated Guimaraes, referencing Havertz's move to Arsenal from Chelsea. This playful banter suggests that the tension between the two players may not have completely dissipated.

As the two teams prepare to face each other, the prospect of Dan Burn and Kai Havertz potentially resuming their hostilities at St. James' Park adds an exciting edge to the match. The Arsenal manager for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season, Mikel Arteta, will be hoping his team can rise to the occasion and secure a valuable three points.

In a twist of fate, Arsenal will also host Newcastle at the Emirates' Stadium at the end of April next year, providing another opportunity for these two sides to lock horns. Until then, football fans can only speculate on what the future holds for these two teams and their players.

Footballer from Newcastle United jokingly ridicules Kai Havertz, who is injured from Arsenal, during a conversation about the Champions League