Kai Havertz has stunned Bukayo Saka with an ‘impressive’ thing he has achieved since joining Arsenal from London rivals Chelsea during the summer 2023 transfer window.
The Gunners bet big to get Havertz to Emirates Stadium in the off-season as manager Mikel Arteta sought to replace Granit Xhaka. He had stomached a mixed career at Stamford Bridge over the previous three terms. But Havertz has shown why Arsenal targeted his arrival in N5.
Havertz struggled to establish a vital role at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s managerial merry-go-round regularly saw his roles change. Arteta envisaged the German slotting in on the left of his engine room ahead of selling Xhaka. Yet Havertz has emerged as Arsenal’s top striker.
Kai Havertz impresses Bukayo Saka by silencing his critics at Arsenal
Only Saka (16) has scored more goals in the Premier League for Arsenal than Havertz (12) so far this term. The Aachen native has even scored three times as many goals as Gabriel Jesus (4). Eddie Nketiah has scored five goals but has not found the back of a net since October.
Havertz has hit home seven of his goals from 11 appearances as a centre-forward, compared to Jesus’ four in 19 and Nketiah’s five in 27 through the centre. Yet Havertz started the term facing questions over why Arsenal paid Chelsea £62.5m, rising up to £67.5m, for his transfer.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Kai Havertz from his girlfriend to height
Alan Pardew admitted Havertz ‘worries me’ back in August as he lacked a personality on the pitch. Craig Burnley even urged Arteta to axe Havertz as he was causing a ‘problem’ with his poor positional awareness. Now, how Havertz has silenced his doubters has impressed Saka.
Saka told the official Arsenal website: “There was a lot of noise around Kai at the start of the season, people talking about him. So, how he has stood up has been so impressive.
“He’s just been doing his thing, he’s flying now and people aren’t talking anymore! Hopefully there are more goals to come.”
Kai Havertz is keeping Gabriel Jesus out of the starting XI at striker
Rather than deal with people questioning his transfer to Arsenal in June, Havertz is drawing praise for his performances. Jamie Carragher believes his work in the press is helping Arteta to register the best defensive record in the Premier League and to still challenge for the title.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus from his height to girlfriend
Havertz’s form is also keeping Jesus out of Arsenal’s starting line-up after scoring seven and assisting five goals in his past nine games as a striker. Jesus has only started four fixtures of a possible 11 since he returned from a three-game absence due to a knee injury in February.