Arsenal release David Luiz injury update

The Brazilian defender missed Arsenal’s defeat to Liverpool through injury and has now undergone an operation.

David Luiz has undergone successful surgery on his knee injury but will be unavailable for Arsenal over the next few weeks.

The former Chelsea man sustained an injury in his right knee during the international break and sat out of the club’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta confirmed after the match that Luiz could be unavailable ‘for a few weeks at least’. But he stated a final decision on whether the defender would have an operation hadn’t been made at the time.

Arteta on whether David Luiz will need surgery on his injured knee: "We are talking with the doctors at the moment to make the right decision on that but we'll see. He could be out for a few weeks at least" #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/WOFkWwVVRu

— Gurjit (@GurjitAFC) April 3, 2021

Now Arsenal have announced Luiz has indeed gone under the knife and that he is already back at home recovering.

“David Luiz underwent a small procedure on his right knee on Sunday morning,” read a club statement.

“The procedure has been a success and David is now back at home rehabilitating. He will be able to return to daily support and recovery with our medical team at the training centre in the coming days.

“David is expected to be back to full fitness and available for selection in the upcoming weeks.”

What games could Luiz miss?

The 33-year-old could miss around three-to-four weeks, setting a potential return date from April 25 at the very earliest.

So, with this timetable in mind, Luiz could target a return on May 8 for a Premier League match against West Brom at home. Therefore, he may miss around five to six games while recovering.

Two of these matches, however, will be in Arsenal’s Europa League quarter-final clash with Slavia Prague. If the Gunners win the tie, Luiz faces a race against time to make the semi-final legs between April 29 and May 6.

Arteta may also have to do without him for the Premier League games against Sheffield United, Fulham, Everton, and Newcastle.