Police have arrested a man who allegedly bit the nose off Hells Angels bikie member Peter Zervas in Sydney’s inner-west.

Police say Mr Zervas was set upon by an unknown man outside a Leichhardt apartment block about 5:00pm on Tuesday, with the man biting off half his nose before running way.

Officers arrested a 28-year-old man at Hurlstone Park this afternoon and searched a nearby home.

The man is expected to be charged with assault later tonight.

Mr Zervas is the brother of Anthony Zervas, who was slain in the Sydney Airport bikie brawl in 2009.

Mr Zervas survived being shot six times in the car park of his home at Lakemba in the city’s south-west in 2009, only a week after his brother was bludgeoned to death.

Mr Zervas yesterday had surgery to reattach part of his nose.

Detective Inspector Clive Ainley said yesterday it was fortunate Mr Zervas’ operation was successful.

“The victim opened the door where he was confronted by another male, who immediately set upon him, has bitten his nose and severed the nose,” he said.

“Fortunately he was able to retrieve the nose and as a result the nose has been re-attached to his face.”

Bloodstains and fingerprint dust had to be cleaned off the apartment building.