Arsenal legend Robert Pires has praised Kai Havertz for his ability to take the pressure off Mikel Arteta this summer.
Transfer deadline day is just nine days away as Arsenal eye reinforcements to bolster the squad in preparation for the campaign ahead.
As Real Sociedad’s club president was spotted in London, it appears that Mikel Merino’s transfer to the Emirates is almost complete, in what will mark the Gunners’ third signing of the summer.
David Raya’s loan move from Brentford was made permanent, with Riccardo Calafiori later signed from Bologna.
While fans will be delighted to acquire Merino to strengthen the midfield, many have called for the Gunners to sign a striker, something that one club legend has opened up on.
Robert Pires praises Kai Havertz’s role as Arsenal’s striker
In his six years at Arsenal, Robert Pires won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and of course, became an Invincible.
The Frenchman will be forever adored in North London for the role he played under Arsene Wenger and now, the former winger has assessed Arsenal’s current squad.
Focusing on the front line, Pires took the time to praise the work of Mikel Arteta and Kai Havertz to put Arsenal in a situation where a striker is not necessarily needed, during a climate where prolific forwards are hard to find.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Pires applauded the ‘balance’ that the manager has struck to make things work for Havertz.
“He [Arteta] puts Havertz as a false number nine and look, he scored a lot of goals at the end of the season. The balance, it was an adjustment for Mikel Arteta.”
The World Cup winner went on to explain the difficulty that Arsenal and other clubs currently find themselves up against when searching for a goalscorer.
“Now, it’s very difficult to find a great number nine like Drogba, Samuel Eto’o or Thierry Henry, now it’s very difficult in the market.”
Havertz has given Arsenal a reason to trust his versatility
Rising through the ranks at Bayer Leverkusen, Havertz was primarily thought of as a central midfielder, where he shone in the Bundesliga before moving to the Premier League.
At Chelsea, the 25-year-old played in a more advanced position, taking time to adapt to the demands of the English game.
Now, Arteta seems to have found the perfect combination to unlock the Germany international, who contributed to 21 goals during his first campaign in North London.
Pires’ evaluation of the forward rings true, as while Havertz is not identifiable as a traditional number nine like a Thierry Henry, he has the qualities to assume such role and thrive in Arsenal’s current set-up.
If the goals keep coming from Havertz, the noise regarding the need for a striker will quieten, with Pires’ opinion on the matter emphasising the positivity of Arsenal’s situation in a market with sparse strike options.
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