How surprise Arsenal star has helped get the best out of Gabriel Martinelli this season

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Arsenal summer signing Kai Havertz initially struggled after his arrival from Chelsea, but is beginning to thrive in a centre-forward role.

The German International is in excellent form, with four goals in his last four Premier League starts, and is showing why Mikel Arteta decided to spend £65m to bring him in despite his struggles at Stamford Bridge.

Havertz attracted heavy criticism at the start of the season, and took a while to settle down, but is now enjoying a good run for both club and country, and is establishing himself as a key player for Arsenal.

The 24-year-old is not the only one thriving in a new role, as winger Gabriel Martinelli has shone at times in what has been an inconsistent campaign, but having Havertz lead the line is clearly helping the Brazilian.

How Kai Havertz is helping Gabriel Martinelli perform for Arsenal

Martinelli brings an explosive speed that no one else in the squad has provided this season, but he has struggled for consistent form in front of goal, with six goals and four assists in 25 Premier League games.

With eight goals and five assists in 32 matches across all competitions, he has not hit the goalscoring heights he found last season, and injuries have disrupted Martinelli’s campaign.

The Athletic have now pointed out how Havertz’s presence upfront has helped Martinelli find space to attack the box and score more.

“Havertz has only played 20 per cent of his Premier League minutes up front this term, yet 50 per cent of Martinelli’s direct goal contributions have come in games in which the German has operated as part of the front line,” a report stated.

Havertz and Martinelli overcome initial Arsenal struggles

When Havertz first joined and struggled in a midfield role, Martinelli was also badly affected, as the loss of Granit Xhaka’s presence in attacking areas on the left side meant that the Brazilian was often shunted out to the wings, rather than being able to cut inside into the penalty area.

However, Havertz’s move to a striker role has meant that he opens up more space using his physicality, and this allows Martinelli more freedom to attack the box as an inside forward, rather than a touchline winger.

Martinelli’s performances and output have been at their best this season when playing off Havertz as a forward, and he struggled when Havertz was in midfield occupying similar positions to him, and blocking his path to the box.

The winger is a doubt for Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City, but if he is able to line up alongside Havertz in the front three, it may be Arsenal’s best chance of securing a result.