Arsenal recently confirmed the signing of attacking midfielder Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65 million.
The 6”4’ German will instantly bring height to the Arsenal frontline, which is something they have previously lacked. His height gives Mikel Arteta an option on potentially implementing a new playing style with Havertz as a target man.
The new arrival increases Arsenal’s squad depth, which is always crucial for any team wishing to challenge for the Premier League and to compete in the Champions League.
Arsenal’s new number 29 did struggle to find the back of the net last season in the Premier League, as he only scored seven goals in 35 appearances. So scoring more regularly is a clear objective for the former Bayer Leverkusen player.
In some of Havertz’s games last season he played as a striker, which will help Arteta have an extra option when it comes to choosing a number nine. However, his lack of clinical finishing up front was clear to see at Chelsea, which could deter the Arsenal manager from picking him as the man to lead the attack.
So far in the Premier League overall, Havertz has scored 32 goals and assisted 15 times in 139 appearances. The German international did score Chelsea’s only goal in their 1-0 win against Manchester City in the 2021 Champions League final, which was his best moment in a Blues shirt. In fact, that crucial goal was Havertz’ first ever in Champions League.
???? Kai Havertz’s first Champions League goal ⚽️????@kaihavertz29 | @ChelseaFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/cc6TpzflbU
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 2, 2021
Taking everything into consideration, to call Havertz a ‘flop’ is harsh but for the £75 million they paid for him, Chelsea probably would have wanted more.
During his three year spell at Stamford Bridge, he played under three different permanent managers, Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, and Graham Potter. This undoubtedly had an effect on his on-field performances, due to the frequent changes in the dugout, but such is the modern game. Especially at Chelsea.
With the new signing coming into a settled dressing room and into a team that have just missed out on the title, the Gunners’ aims for next season will be clear. Arteta will have a specific vision for his new signing.
In Germany’s last three friendlies against Colombia, Poland and Ukraine, Havertz featured in all three games and netted a goal against Ukraine. He was played as a number nine in all of the games, which appears to be where national team boss Hansi Flick thinks Arsenal’s new signing is best suited to playing.
It will be important to Havertz on a personal level that he has a solid season with Arsenal, as the Euro 2024 finals will be held in his native Germany. That will be an experience to cherish if he is selected to represent his nation on home turf.
At the age of just 24 years-old, Havertz still has a long future ahead of him and under a manager who clearly sees his talent and potential, Arteta can help guide the German in the right direction. There won’t be many excuses for the player, however, as he has moved for a large amount of money again and this time to direct rivals of Chelsea, Therefore the pressure will be on him instantly.
He’ll be competing against either Martin Ødegaard for the number eight spot or Gabriel Jesus for the number nine position on the pitch, which won’t be easy.
