Arsenal haven’t even signed Kai Havertz yet, but the German has apparently picked the shirt number he wants already.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move to sign the Chelsea star. Reports have revealed that a move is all but done, with Fabrizio Romano even issuing his ‘here we go‘ verdict this week.
As the transfer edges closer, talkSPORT have shed some light on what Havertz’s shirt number will be at Arsenal.
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Kai Havertz has already picked his shirt number at Arsenal
Kai Havertz has reportedly decided to wear the number 29 shirt at Arsenal.
The German has donned the same number since he made his debut for Bayer Leverkusen back in the 2016/17 season. He used the same in his three years at Chelsea as well.
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Havertz likes the 29 so much that he made Fikayo Tomori switch numbers when he joined the Blues three years ago.
If you’re wondering why Havertz always wears the 29, it’s because of his brother, Jan.
He told The Athletic about two years ago: “When I was young I always used to play FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer with my brother. We always made ourselves in the game.
“I had No 10, golden shoes and things like that. My brother always put No 29 on his shirt.
“When I came to the professional game and Leverkusen asked me what number I wanted to have, I asked them which numbers were free. When they said 29, I said I’d take it because of my brother.
“Sometimes it’s lucky for me, sometimes not, but I like the number and now I think everybody knows me for it.”
The history of the number 29 Gunners shirt
Kai Havertz’s soon-to-be number 29 shirt hasn’t ever been popular at Arsenal – just 10 players have donned it since the inception of the Premier League over three decades ago.
The last Arsenal player to wear it was Matteo Guendouzi after Granit Xhaka switched 29 for 34 in 2018.
Kim Kallstrom and Gunners fan favourite Marouane Chamakh wore it before him, while Seb Larsson, Motitz Volz, Ashley Cole, Jermaine Pennant and Stephen Hughes were the owners prior to the Moroccan.
Havertz’s story for wearing the number 29 is a lovely one, and hopefully, that will give him the luck he needs to become a star at Arsenal.