After watching Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League, it became so clear what Mikel Arteta’s side is missing.
Arsenal’s attacking issues are complex, as for all of the talent available to Arteta, the Gunners can’t seem to create sufficient chances in open play.
Problems in that department leave many fans reminiscing on times when there was a playmaker in red and white who could step up and break the lines when needed.
Love him or loathe him, Mesut Ozil was one of those figures when he was at Arsenal, never being far from creating a chance for his teammates to score.
In the later years, Ozil split opinion at Arsenal, but when it came to playmaking, his power was undeniable, a power that Arteta might’ve just uncovered in one of his current stars.
Give us one sentence to decide: Mesut Ozil, overrated or underrated?
Kai Havertz can live out his Mesut Ozil dream at Arsenal
Kai Havertz surprised everyone when he returned to action from injury and contributed to three goals against Kairat Almaty.
What was most surprising was the role that the German played, as Arteta unleashed him in attacking midfield.
Being utilised in the number 10 role is something Havertz is familiar with, and something the 26-year-old has been working towards his whole career.
Back in 2019, UEFA relayed a quote from Havertz about who he models his game around, and Arsenal fans will love the answer.
“Mesut Ozil is my role model,” Havertz revealed.
“I think our playing styles are similar, and that’s why I’m trying to learn as much from his game as I can.”
Against Kairat Almaty, Havertz had a lot of Ozil swagger about him, bursting through midfield to play some intricate passes that left the opposition spellbound.
Arsenal saw Kai Havertz as Mesut Ozil’s successor
Fascinatingly, upon his return to action, Havertz showed Arsenal that he can fulfil a wish that the Gunners had for him long before he signed.
You pick: ________ should start in the number ten vs Leeds… 👀
In 2019, Calcio Mercato reported that Arsenal had interest in Havertz when he was at Bayer Leverkusen.
The reason behind the interest? That the midfielder could be ‘Ozil’s replacement’.
Who would’ve thought that seven years down the line, Havertz would put on a show in midfield for Arsenal that had the Emirates thinking of Ozil.
Some things are meant to be, and after Havertz’s cameo in attacking midfield, long may the comparisons continue.
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