‘Scary’ Arsenal star has now become ‘a man possessed’ after ‘unexpected’ Arteta change

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Robbie Mustoe has been blown away by the improvement he has witnessed in Arsenal star Kai Havertz in recent weeks.

Kai Havertz now looks to have really found his feet at Arsenal.

The German had a difficult start to life at the Emirates Stadium. He arrived in north London looking short on confidence and struggled to immediately get to grips with his tactical function in Mikel Arteta’s side. Havertz was heavily criticised in his first few months at Arsenal.

However, in recent weeks, the 24-year-old has finally found his groove. In the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus, he and Leandro Trossard have shared striking duties, even when they have both been on the pitch at the same time. Havertz and Trossard have developed an effective relationship on the pitch, as the pair rotate and interchange their positions regularly. 

Against Newcastle United, on Saturday night, the Belgian was left on the bench, whilst Havertz was tasked with leading the line. The former Chelsea man looked up for the occasion from the first whistle. Particularly in the first half, he pressed relentlessly, used his physicality and strength to great effect, and caused chaos within the Magpies’ defensive third with his movement.

Havertz was rewarded for his efforts with a goal, as he tucked away Gabriel Martinelli’s cut-back from close range. Soon after the break, he ought to have doubled his tally for the match, having been played clean through one-on-one with Loris Karius. On that occasion, though, the 42-cap Germany international dragged his effort wide. 

How has Kai Havertz raised his level at Arsenal?

Whilst Havertz’s finishing remains inconsistent, he has caught the eye with every other aspect of his game. What’s more, Arsenal now look like a better team with him on the pitch.

The player deserves plenty of credit for his remarkable recent improvement, and Robbie Mustoe now believes he has identified the reason for this change.

Speaking on The 2 Robbies podcast, the pundit said, “something has changed in Havertz, in the last two or three weeks. I’ll tell you what’s changed, it’s that he now has become an aggressive, physical, hard-working No. 9. Now, whether it’s him or the manager, the No. 8/No. 10 fancy kind of footballer, getting in the box and scoring goals, hasn’t quite worked.” 

“It’s not as much as reinventing himself, but I think he’s thought, ‘how can I really be effective?’ He’s gone with work, and with physicality, and closing [down]. I mean fans love that stuff…It’s not just that Kai Havertz has come good, he’s come good in an unexpected way, of the way that he’s been effective for the team, and long may that continue… He’s fired-up, aggressive, and scary… He’s like a bit of a man possessed.”

Arsenal fans have certainly taken note of Havertz’s improvement, and Arteta may well now be feeling vindicated in his decision to bring the player to the Emirates Stadium in the first place. The challenge for the player now is to maintain this form for the rest of the season, as Arsenal seek to mount a successful Premier League title push.