With Kai Havertz edging towards his 50th appearance for Arsenal, it’s an ideal time analyse just how successful he’s been as he prepares to face his former club.
The 24-year-old Germany international endured a slow start at the Emirates but has looked a different player since his dramatic winner at Brentford in November.
Havertz has played in a number of different positions for the Gunners, keeping up his reputation of being an Alleskönner – a player who can do everything.
His style of play has likened to Mesut Ozil, Michael Ballack, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller but Havertz has also had his fair share of critics in north London.
When did Havertz move to Arsenal?
Eyebrows were raised in June when Havertz moved across London to join Arsenal from Chelsea in a deal worth £65m.
Havertz spent three years with the Blues and despite helping them win the Champions League, it was a largely underwhelming spell for him at the club.
‘He can’t even hit a barn door,’ Jamie O’Hara said when Arsenal signed Havertz. ‘He wasn’t good enough for Chelsea so they got rid of him.
‘I am telling you now that Kai Havertz will be a flop at Arsenal. I don’t think it’s going to work out and I don’t think it’s going to fit into their mould.’
Arsenal legend Ian Wright, though, was more positive and said: ‘I feel very, very confident about that midfield and what that midfield can produce.
‘Havertz in that role, I think we are going to be very surprised by his quality as well. Arsenal fans are going to love him.’
Why is Havertz important to Arsenal?
It’s becoming harder and harder to put a label on Havertz’s position; his versality and fluidity is undoubtedly one of his biggest strengths.
Havertz usually starts as a centre-forward or on the left side of midfield but will seamlessly switch places with team-mates during matches to confuse opponents.
His unpredictability has made him a key cog in Arsenal’s attack – evident from his recent Premier League purple patch – which has seen him receive lots of praise and confirm this current season as the most prolific of his career in England so far.
Havertz conjured up five goals and four assists in seven top-flight games between February and March and impressed with his physicality and technical link-up play.
He’s played 32 Premier League games for Arsenal to date – scoring nine times and producing five assists – but his importance isn’t only rooted in goal involvements.
In the recent 3-0 win at Brighton he created the most chances, won the most attacking aerial duels and was the most fouled player, winning his side free-kicks.
What have pundits said about Havertz?
Joe Cole has argued that Chelsea should’ve never offloaded Havertz and insistshe’s been a ‘great signing’ for Arsenal.
‘I thought he was a brilliant player for Chelsea,’ Cole told the Daily Express. ‘He came in with a massive transfer fee and he played in multiple positions and always did a good job. And he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final.
‘I’ve always liked him. I didn’t want to see him go. He’s gone there [to Arsenal] and done really well and found his feet.
‘He’s a box player, whether he plays as a No.9 or a false nine, he’s got a lovely instinct to score goals and a lovely weight of pass and calmness.
‘I’d have loved to see him stay at Chelsea, I really would. I think he’s a cracking player. When he was playing that role for Chelsea, that role was synonymous of the last 20 years of like [Didier] Drogba, [Fernando] Torres and [Diego] Costa, recognised centre-forwards.
‘When he was playing there, Chelsea fans are used to having that. I thought he did a great job at Chelsea and he was a great signing for Arsenal.’
Where did Arsenal’s interest in Havertz come from?
Having narrowly missed out on the 2022-23 Premier League title to Manchester City, Mikel Arteta decided it was time to revamp his midfield in the summer.
Granit Xhaka left the Emirates for Bayer Leverkusen while Arsenal signed Declan Rice from West Ham as well as Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
Arsenal were interested in Havertz for his attacking quality, versatility, intelligence and strength.
‘Kai is a player of top quality,’ Arteta said when Arsenal announced Havertz as a new signing.
‘He has great versatility and is an intelligent player. He will bring a huge amount of extra strength to our midfield and variety to our play.’
What have fans said about Havertz?
Opinions on Havertz from Arsenal’s large base of supporters has fluctuated throughout the season.
Some fans were left furious to see Havertz included in the XI for the last Premier League match against Wolves, which Arsenal won 2-0 on Saturday.
‘Mikel really wants to bottle this, what is Havertz doing in midfield,’ @moscoleelaa posted on X when the team news landed on social media.
‘Why [doesn’t] Arteta know that Havertz is [a] disaster in midfield?’ @unknowngod002 added. ‘That’s why we end up losing at the 11th [hour].’
Havertz was also slammed after Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich.
‘£65m on Kai Havertz has stalled Arsenal’s progress for four years,’ @ClockEndH posted. ‘Absolute nothing player. Nothing to his game. This cringey blind faith bull**** fans do pretending he’s an elite player, absolute waste of money.’
Following Arsenal’s win at Wolves, though, @the_nomad_post said: ‘Kai Havertz has proved to be one of our most important players lately. I love seeing him doing what he does on the pitch except when Arteta puts him on the spot.
‘His work rate is unquestionable but every time he plays in the midfield there is always drop in the fluidity and creativity. He is good as a CF, we had so much success with him as the CF. Arteta should stop using him in the midfield. Simple. Otherwise I am loving everything he is doing on the pitch.’
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