And yet there still seem to be some doubters about the quality that he can bring to Arsenal’s title challenge this season.
Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer insists that Arsenal must sign an out-and-out striker for Mikel Arteta to win the title this season. That comes even though Havertz scored Arsenal’s first goal of the season and then laid on a second for Bukayo Saka in their 2-0 win over Wolves on the opening day.
In doing so, Havertz took ownership of a quirky stat. He has scored and assisted in five different Premier League games in 2024, the most by an Arsenal player in a single calendar year since Robin van Persie in 2011 (6 times).
Havertz has shown himself not just to be a goal scorer but also a goal creator. He is an all round player who lends himself perfectly to Arteta’s football vision.
The fact that Havertz started ahead of Gabriel Jesus says everything, especially when the Brazil star has had a good pre-season and has earned praise from Arteta for his sharpness and determination.
Yet Havertz got the nod even though he missed some of pre-season because he came back later after being with Germany in the Euros.
Kai Havertz has proven Mikel Arteta right time and time again (
Image:
Michael Zemanek/REX/Shutterstock)
But the real game-changing element of Havertz is that he was signed from Chelsea to play in midfield with his versatility an added bonus.
Arsenal boss Arteta saw him as a project to play in a three man midfield with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. It was a slow start which seems to have fooled a few rival fans and pundits alike.
Because when Havertz got going - he looked unstoppable. He moved forward as a No9 and a false nine and also changed Arsenal’s attitude last season as he scored 13 goals in the Premier League and provided seven assists.
Arsenal were interested in Ivan Toney at one stage but moved on. They like Benjamin Sesko because, with Havertz on board, they could look to a young striker as a project. Sesko decided to stay at RB Leipzig with the German club also wanting too big a fee.
They no longer see a proven No9 as essential. In fact, if they do a late deal then it is likely to be a wide player to offer competition and back-up for Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal are closing in on Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino as a significant signing in this window to bolster midfield.
But Havertz is the reason why Arsenal DO NOT need a new striker. They have seen enough from him - and they have Jesus there too - to realise this is an exceptional player who can do everything.
Now the winger might be more interesting for Arsenal’s title challenge. As the window closes and clubs have to offload to balance the books, will a new winger become available?
There has been noise around Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry or even Raphinha. Or Federico Chiesa. Could a winger suddenly be an option on loan with a view to a permanent deal?
Arsenal took pride in getting early business done last year and Merino is set to come in. But a late wide option rather than a striker could be the final piece of the title jigsaw.
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