Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has made clear exactly what he wants from Kai Havertz before the World Cup.
Havertz’s season has been plagued by injury but it ended in the best possible way — scoring the goal that set up Arsenal’s Premier League title win.
Ahead of the World Cup, his Germany manager has reiterated that the Arsenal striker is his preferred centre-forward, provided he can stay fit.
“On the pitch, you are outstanding. Incredibly important for us,” Nagelsmann said, as per Sky Sports Germany.
“Stay healthy, clear your mind and go for it. You have everything we need to have a top goalscorer up front.”
Fill in the blank – Kai Havertz’s header was the best I’ve seen for Arsenal since ___
Havertz has managed just 11 Premier League starts this season due to a knee injury that decimated the early part of his campaign.
But he returned for the run-in at just the right time for Mikel Arteta. He headed home the winner against Burnley in Cristiano Ronaldo-esque fashion, in a moment that will live long in the memory.
Although, he was fortunate not to be sent off later on for a high challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu.
Despite competition from Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade and Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav, Havertz’s quality and international experience — 21 goals in 57 caps since his debut in 2018 — should see him start Germany’s World Cup opener.
He will be excused from Germany’s friendly against Finland on May 31, the day after the Champions League final, and may also be given additional recovery time ahead of their June 6 game against the USA.
Mikel Arteta’s Champions League final selection headache
Before the World Cup, though, there is the small matter of Budapest on May 30.
Arteta faces the selection dilemma of whether to start with Havertz or Viktor Gyokeres up front against PSG.
After his goal tonight, tell us why Kai Havertz should or shouldn’t start the Champions League final
Some Arsenal fans have long argued that Havertz in the number nine role makes Bukayo Saka an even more dangerous proposition.
Gyokeres, meanwhile, has improved over the course of the season, and will have a chip on his shoulder having been dropped to the bench for Burnley.
For all the talk of Arsenal needing an elite striker, Arteta has two in-form strikers who offer different strengths and different ways of exposing the PSG backline.
And a selection headache of that nature is a very good problem to have.
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