Laura Woods has shared why Kai Havertz’s transfer to Arsenal worries the TNT Sports presenter and why she hopes Mikel Arteta re-thinks the German’s role at the Emirates.
The 24-year-old became Arteta’s first signing this summer after sealing a transfer to Arsenal from their London rivals, Chelsea. Havertz left Stamford Bridge after three years for an initial £62.5m, rising to £67.5m. He also agreed to pen a five-year contract to sign for the Gunners.
Arsenal backed Arteta’s vision for how Havertz will fit in at Emirates Stadium as they look to build on 2022/23. The Spaniard took the north London outfit back to the Champions League and fought for the Premier League title. Another title fight in 2023/24 is also now the target.
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Question marks linger after Kai Havertz’s transfer to Arsenal
Next summer will mark 20 years since Arsenal last won the Premier League. Arsene Wenger guided the Gunners to the title with his 2003/04 Invincibles side. But they have only finished as the runner-up in three seasons since with the 2004/05, 2015/16 and 2022/23 campaigns.
The transfers of Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice have improved Arsenal’s first-team squad as Arteta looks to win the title. But question marks still linger over what role he offers Havertz at the Emirates. The 24-year-old gives the Gunners a very versatile attacking option.
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Arteta utilised Havertz as a central midfielder during pre-season after selling Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen. But he then started the German as a striker during the Community Shield after Gabriel Jesus required knee surgery. The Brazilian will also miss the start of the season.
Laura Woods hopes Mikel Arteta re-thinks Kai Havertz’s role
Havertz got 69 of his appearances for Chelsea as a striker before his transfer to Arsenal. He also offered 21 goals and five assists through those outings. The 37-cap Germany star hit 32 goals and assisted 15 in 139 outings in total, whilst also featuring in midfield or on the wing.
His surging runs into the box demonstrate why Arteta has earmarked Havertz as Xhaka’s heir in Arsenal’s midfield. But Jesus’ injury tempted the Spaniard to move the Aachen native into the Gunners’ frontline. A call that Woods hopes Arteta re-thinks once the new season starts.
Arsenal fan Woods also hopes Arteta signs another striker who can truly be an alternative to Jesus instead of Havertz. He already has Eddie Nketiah and the exit-linked Folarin Balogun in north London. While Arteta has also fielded Leandro Trossard as a makeshift centre-forward.
“Maybe another striker,” Woods has told Sport Bible. “I’m not sure which kind of role Kai Havertz is going to play. I don’t think he is going to be a striker. I don’t think that is his thing and I hope it’s not.”