‘Wow’… Pundit thinks Mikel Arteta signing is now looking much ‘happier’ at Arsenal

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Former Middlesbrough midfielder Robbie Mustoe believes that Kai Havertz is now hitting his stride at Arsenal.

Kai Havertz now looks to have finally settled into this Arsenal side. 

The German looked desperately short on confidence when he arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Chelsea in the recent summer transfer window. Havertz came in for plenty of criticism in the early days of his Arsenal career, as he struggled to adapt to Mikel Arteta’s tactical instructions and his £65 million price tag was called into question.

In recent weeks, though, the 24-year-old has seemed far more assured of his role in this Arsenal team and is starting to stamp his authority on matches. Arsenal fans were delighted with what they saw from Havertz against Burnley last time out, as he capped a fine individual performance with a well taken goal. 

The introduction of Leandro Trossard into the starting XI, in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus, also looks to have done wonders for the 42-cap Germany international. Havertz and Trossard have rapidly struck up an extremely effective connection on the pitch, as they have formed something akin to an old-fashioned big man-little man partnership.

Havertz provides a target man-like presence at the top of the pitch, whilst the Belgian offers a threat in behind. Both players are comfortable spearheading the attack, and can drop deeper into the left-eight midfield role. The way the duo rotate and interchange their positions makes Arsenal far less predictable as an attacking force.

Kai Havertz hailed for Arsenal form

Robbie Mustoe has now heaped praise on Havertz. Speaking on The 2 Robbies podcast, he said, “Kai Havertz is starting to be more influential…making his forward runs, looking happier going forward, but also more giving without the ball. I think we’ve seen that in the last couple of games. His work ethic all of a sudden is like ‘wow’. He’s got a great engine, we’re seeing it. That’s handy. That’s useful to have.”

It can sometimes fly under the radar just how important Havertz’s physicality is to this Arsenal team. His aerial prowess and hold-up play makes him an ideal outlet whenever the Gunners seek to go long, and he battles fiercely in his one-on-one duels in order to help Arteta’s side defend from the front and win the ball back high up the pitch.

It is now vital that Havertz can show that he can produce these standards on a consistent basis, and step up in the biggest games. Arsenal have some huge fixtures coming up, which will define their fate in the Champions League and the Premier League title race. Arteta clearly has huge faith in Havertz, and now the player needs to repay that trust when it really matters.