Whilst monitoring Kai Havertz’s performances at Euro 2024, Arsenal’s analyst may have noticed an understated talent in Germany’s team.
Major international tournaments are often used as a scouting tool for clubs, as was particularly evident in Arsene Wenger’s days at Arsenal.
Although the deal eventually took place six months later, Wenger famously signed Andrey Arshavin off the back of an excellent display for Russia at Euro 2008.
And whilst recruitment departments are a lot more sophisticated at Premier League club’s today, Euro 2024 will still prove to be a good litmus test to veto or approve potential moves.
If reports are to be believed, Arsenal are closely monitoring Turkey’s Arda Guler at the tournament, interested in signing the Real Madrid youngster.
And although the signing of an attacking talent with ‘x-factor’ is desired by Arsenal, they have other pressing needs too.
Mikel Arteta is said to want a new left-back, and on evidence of his first two games at the Euros, Germany’s Maximilian Mittelstadt could be a strong candidate to consider.
Stuttgart’s Maximilian Mittelstadt could be the answer to Arsenal’s left-back woes
Julian Nagelsmann perhaps raised some eyebrows when he put faith in the relatively unknown Stuttgart full-back against Scotland.
But his decision has been justified and Mittelstadt’s ‘strong’ display against Hungary, providing the assist for Germany’s second goal, demonstrated why.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker has noticed what Arsenal’s Kai Havertz has managed to do with Germany at Euro 2024
The 27-year-old’s game looks incredibly complete, even if he is celebrated more for his attacking exploits on the left.
But with Arsenal often playing an inverted full-back on that side of their defence, specifically Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mittelstadt could be very well suited.
The defender hasn’t played inside much for Germany, but his strong ball-playing ability would suggest he’s perfectly suited to do so.
Ben White could be key to any Maxi Mittelstadt move
Mittelstadt could be a breath of fresh air on Arsenal’s left side, perhaps a player who could even overlap traditionally, with Ben White inverting from the right.
It remains to be seen how much Stuttgart would demand for their prized asset, but given his age and experience, the German seems ready to contribute immediately.
And with Havertz at Arsenal, the club would already have a cheerleader for their project close to the defender.
Right now, the left-back market is very limited.
And unless Arsenal are prepared to spend big on the likes of Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde or Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes, Mittelstadt could be a very sensible option.