Kai Havertz went on something of a journey in his first campaign playing under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal last season.
Havertz’s arrival in north London was met with equal measure of scepticism and optimism among Arsenal fans.
Many were pleased that Arsenal had poached one of Chelsea’s prized assets, and others frustrated that the money hadn’t been spent on a ‘goal-scorer’.
Arteta initially attempted to play Havertz as his new number eight, a replacement for Granit Xhaka who was joining the German’s boyhood club.
But it quickly became clear that Havertz was struggling in the role, not able to show his true worth.
Perhaps the pressure of his transfer was getting to him, and although determined to stick by his plan, Arteta eventually succumbed and tried Havertz as a false nine.
And the rest is history.
Arsenal no longer plan to buy a number nine this summer, and Havertz is now starring for Germany as their starting striker at Euro 2024.
That being said, The Athletic have now been sharing more insight into how Arsenal staff experienced that change.
Arsenal staff couldn’t believe how good Kai Havertz was defensively
The report states that, as mentioned, that Arsenal had intended to use Havertz as an eight, signing Declan Rice to play alongside him.
However, Havertz was playing to tough crowds and was evidently reluctant to take risks with the ball which was inhibiting his passing.
But according to The Athletic, Arsenal staff were still impressed with elements of Havertz’s game internally.
Arsenal hadn’t expected the German’s movement and his defensive contribution to be so strong, even if he was struggling with his overall game.
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But perhaps that recognition demonstrates why Arteta was so willing to stick by his marquee signing in the face of so much noise, convinced he would come good.
And as stated, it now seems as if Arsenal won’t sign a striker this summer, content with Havertz as their starter.
As a result, the club are exploring business elsewhere and Arsenal have reportedly just submitted a £40m bid for a defender hailed as ‘one of the best in the world’.
It’ll be interesting to see if Arsenal use Havertz at all as an eight next season.
And if they don’t plan to, then perhaps Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz could be the perfect signing for Arsenal.
