David Ornstein reveals what people at Arsenal really think of Kai Havertz

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Details have now emerged of how Kai Havertz is regarded behind the scenes at Arsenal.

There has been a bright spotlight on Kai Havertz so far this season. Following his £65 million switch to Arsenal from Chelsea in the recent summer transfer window, all eyes have been on the German to see how he adapts to life at the Emirates Stadium.

It is fair to say that it has been a struggle for Havertz to settle at Arsenal so far. He has been the target of much criticism, and far too often has failed to tangibly impact matches. 

However, Havertz, and indeed Mikel Arteta, will be hoping that he has now turned a corner following his match-winning strike against Brentford last time out. It was his first goal from open play for the north London club, and earned them a win that sent them to the top of the Premier League table.

Kai Havertz must make key Arsenal role his own

The 24-year-old needs to kick on from this moment and use it as a platform to build a solid run of form on. He needs to now show that he can impress, and influence matches, on a consistent basis, and nail down a place in the regular starting XI as his own.

There is a natural gap in the team for Havertz to fill. He was signed in the summer to replace the outgoing Granit Xhaka in the left-eight midfield berth. It was into the position that he was brought on to such good effect against the Bees. However, following his early struggles at Arsenal, the likes of Declan Rice, Fabio Vieira, and Leandro Trossard have all also been trialled in that role.

Arteta was clearly delighted to see Havertz get such a positive reward for his efforts against Brentford. After the full-time whistle, he marched the former Chelsea man over to where the travelling Arsenal fans were singing his name. Though, the Spanish coach drew criticism from Richard Keys for this gesture.

David Ornstein reveals behind the scene progress

It is unsurprising that the manager is desperate to see Havertz succeed at the club. Not only because how much was paid to sign him, or for what his contributions could mean in terms of results, but also because it is a just reward for the efforts the player is putting in on a daily basis at Arsenal’s London Colney training complex.

Journalist David Ornstein has now revealed that Havertz has impressed with his application and commitment to improving his game. Speaking on The Athletic Football Podcast, he said, “there is a very different perception in the public to the reality in private. What people see of Havertz behind the scenes and how they are working to make him most effective.”

“Don’t forget he is learning a new role, at a new club, with a new group of players who have pretty much solidified their way of playing last season and he comes into it.”

“It is going to take some time. But I think everything I hear suggests that firstly he is ultra committed and dedicated and football obsessed to get this right and work with the coaches. And furthermore his attitude behind the scenes and the application that he puts in, his conduct – which is something I heard at Chelsea as well – is beyond reproach.”

“He really is a very popular character with players and staff and away from the pitch throughout his career he has worked with physios for his recovery and condition and things like that.”