Kai Havertz is a signing I think it’s fair to say had most Arsenal fans pulling faces when the move initially went through. However, since that very moment, it seems he is a player who is more determined than ever to redeem himself in the Premier League and has shown just how much he has to offer in this Arsenal side. I think it is fair to say he has definitely done that in various moments for Arsenal in this title-chasing season.
It was far from the easiest start for him in an Arsenal shirt, as he found he had a real point to prove not only with his pretty expensive £65 million price tag but also to the fans who doubted whether he was the right addition to their side particularly with the departure of Granit Xhaka at the end of 22/23 season.
During his three-year spell at Chelsea, there were many question marks about his best position, as for so much of his time as a Blue he was played upfront, whilst having played so much of his career for Bayer Leverkusen rotating around the number ten role, right-wing and false nine.
So when Arsenal announced the signing of Havertz, Arsenal fans were left unsure as to where exactly he would fit best into a side that performed at the very top of the Premier League for so much of the prior season.
In December 2023, Arsenal’s form took a massive hit with two losses in two weeks to fellow title contenders, Liverpool, and two back-to-back losses in the Premier League, at home to West Ham and away at London rivals Fulham.
The narrative that ran throughout the whole January transfer window, was therefore based on Arsenal’s desperate need for a striker based on their most recent results where they seemed to have found it almost impossible to score, despite the excess of chances that they created.
However, in the New Year, Arsenal seemed to have no problem with scoring goals, scoring 12 goals in two games, away at West Ham and away at Burnley. Kai Havertz’s role in Arsenal’s recent run of success needs to be looked at.
Kai has shown in recent fixtures that he is now a regular in the starting 11, with him starting off the season in a midfield role and now playing his best football for Arsenal upfront. We have seen that, now he is settled and confident in his position, he most definitely can score goals of all different calibers. For example, his crucial winning goals this season in both Brentford fixtures showed just how much he can step up to the plate. He is now averaging just under a goal every other game and is definitely becoming a more consistent player with goals and assists.
Despite Havertz’s clear threat in front of goal, he does not play the typical striker role for Arsenal, but perhaps that isn’t exactly what Arsenal need. There are so many players within this Arsenal side that pop up with goals, even our defenders, with Gabriel and Saliba on a combined six goals this season.
Havertz provides a strength, and annoyance, to the opposition, that allows Arsenal to build up play, both by playing it out from the back, but also by pinging a ball up the pitch to Havertz to hold up the play and create. We’ve seen examples of him going toe-toe with some of the most physical defenders in the league in Arsenal’s wins over Liverpool and Manchester City this season. An example of where he executed this perfectly was in the build-up play before Martinelli’s goal that secured Arsenal’s first win against the reigning Premier League Champions since 2015.
Yet, even after proving himself in so many ways this season, it seems the Gunners are very much still in the market for a striker this Summer. With names like Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen flying around. It will be interesting to see what happens next season for Havertz if his spot upfront, which he has now claimed, is filled by someone else.
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