Arsenal supporters desperate for the club to strengthen in attack were served a timely reminder of Kai Havertz’s ability to lead the line when the German produced a thumping header to break the deadlock in the Gunners’ opening day 2-0 win over Wolves.
After a slow start to life at the Emirates following his £65 million move from Chelsea, Havertz blossomed in the second half of last season and now has 10 goals in his last 15 Premier League matches.
With seven assists to his name in that period, including yesterday’s lay-off for Bukayo Saka, he’s playing with a confidence that suggests he’s very comfortable being Arsenal’s first-choice striker.
“Players need some time to adapt and get to know everybody – the club, the relationships, the system,” Mikel Arteta told his post-game press conference.
“He’s gained the confidence and the respect of everybody in the way he handles certain situations and in the way he’s performing.”
On the way Havertz converted his first chance of the match, laid on a plate by Saka’s teasing cross, Arteta added: “It was a great action – the whole action, the position, the delivery, the position we had in the box, the way he attacked the ball. It was superb, a great goal.”
For Havertz and Arteta, attention now turns to a tricky away trip to Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side beat the Gunners twice last season on their way to qualifying for the Champions League and started their campaign with a noteworthy 2-1 win at West Ham.
While Arsenal were comfortable enough against Wolves, there are definitely areas to tighten up before next Saturday.
“I think we can be happy with the win and three points,” Havertz told Arsenal.com.
“It was a tough game, but I think that was clear – the first game of the season is always tough, so 2-0 is a good result for us. There’s some room to improve, and we’re going to work on that.
“I think that’s how we all felt after the final whistle, there was a lot of work, especially in the second half. We defended quite deep at times, so I think in total, we’re happy not to concede a goal, score two goals and it’s a good result for us.
“[Villa] is always a tough match and we’re going to be hungry to win this game, especially after last season. We’re going to do everything to win it.”
I was torn when we bought him as I knew from his Germany days there was a great player in there but he was ruined by the dogs. I then despaired for the first 8 games or so of last season as although he was working hard he was not scoring or creating. Massive credit to him and Arteta for persevering. I think he may well hit the 20 goal mark this season. Tremendous team player.
I think he struggles a bit from ‘Ozil Syndrome’ (what is it about these languid Germans?)
He can look casual and uninterested but the stats and end product tell a totally different story. And when you hear him in interview, you just know he’s 100% committed.
I don’t see Ozil Syndrome with him one bit, and I definitely saw it in Ozil, or Arshavin sometimes or Bendtner before them. Kai never looked anything but fully in to me, was maybe at first just lacking confidence and not 100% emotionally connected (normal trauma response after years in a dumpster of a club) but that all looks to be over now.
I would say it has something to do with his running style, kind of, Kanu.
We now want the Henry syndrome: Look unhappy and uninterested and put in ballon d’or performances.
He looks languid in moments but you can see the intensity in his sprints and in the duels and how he tracks back not just for show but consistently with purpose and venom. He’s a warrior, an anti-Ozil in that sense.
When we first got him I thought he made intelligent runs, was very quick, worked hard including in defense, and understood the game brilliantly–and that he simply could not finish. I hoped that was due to a Chelsea-born lack of confidence and would come good, but I was by no means sure. Everyone was justifiably concerned about the finishing part but a lot of supporters let that affect their judgment about his quality and commitment. I remember arguing with a friend that if Havertz ran with his teeth clenched it would be easier to see how hard he worked and… Read more »
You’ve called me many things, friend is a new one, thanks friend. Havertz have proven his worth up top. His work rate is exceptional, he’s completely different to Ozil in that capacity. Saka need a player like havertz and I believe this is the year Saka really breaks out and becomes one of the absolute superstars of world football.
Agreed he is fundamentally dissuaded most of the prejudices we had about him & his character simply thru a string of consistent performances.
There’s literally no other player like him in the world. How many players can you say that for?
Great in the air, a presence, can play CF or CM, silky, combative, intelligent.
With most players, you can find a comparison. But with Kai, he’s just Kai.
Inspired bit of transfer activity from Mikel. And it just proves how good Mikel is that he is able to get something out of Kai that Tuchel, Potter and Lampard (lolz) were totally unable to do.
Probably the closest comparison I can draw would be Berbatov – but he would not have been able to play in midfield so even that comparison is limited
Ah, yeah. That’s a really good comparison actually.
Being a utility player or “versatile” usually means you’re a bit crap wherever you play. But Havertz is exceptional.
Are we in a place where we can even refer to him as world class?
No although I do think he could hit 20 this year
I think he needs a season or two of consistently hitting numbers before he’d be in that conversation; what Kai does exceptionally is often overlooked, but statistically speaking, even in his final season at Chelsea, he was in the top 2 or 3 players in the entire PL for many things.
This article from Opta prior to him signing for us was why I defended the signing from the offset – he does many things to an exceptional level, but perhaps the lack of G&A’s at the shitshow that is Chelsea meant he got no recognition for these aspects
https://theanalyst.com/2023/06/kai-havertz-to-arsenal-makes-sense
If I’m being uber critical, he could probably improve his finishing.
I know he scores a lot. But the chance he took with his right in the second half and then the blocked effort in the first half and the run through on goal that looked like a peno on first glance… (btw, MOTD didn’t show what Odegaard did to set him up for that. Spellbinding).
At least one of those three half chances needs to go in before we can probably talk about him in the highest esteem.
That is definitely a fair comment – but as long as he’s getting those chances then I’m comfortable with him being our 9 as it means he is getting in the right positions.. I’d like to see him more clinical in one on one situations, but in terms of big chances missed, he only ranked 22nd in the PL last season (he missed 9 big chances compared to Haalands 32 and Nunez 27)
https://www.statmuse.com/fc/ask?q=player+with+the+most+big+chances+missed+in+the+premier+league+23%2F24
The best stikers always lead the league in big chances missed. It’s a marker of their ability to get into scoring positions. There are outliers of course, like Calvert Lewin and Jackson last season were dreadful in front of goal. Kai needs to miss more big chances, statistically speaking, because that will track with his chances, shot volume and goal scoring too. I want him to shoot more and build his confidence in his ball striking. Needs a selfish streak. I don’t care if he misses a lot, one or two will fly in and that will build belief and… Read more »
Yes. That’s not uber critical, it’s a fact about his game in front of goal. He lacks confidence to seek out his own shot, doesn’t trust his technique even though it’s more than good enough. Still carrying those scars, plus he’s inherently unselfish. It will come if he works on it.
I can kind of see where you’re going with the Berbatov thing but they are such polar opposites really. Berbatov was all about the end product, the magic touch, the telling strike. He wanted the ball, fancied himself a bit of a 10, didn’t like duels. Havertz’s main value is tactical, all the little things he does off the screen, the runs he makes, all the duels he contests in addition to being technically good. But his technicalness just adds to his well roundedness. For Berbatov that was the beginning and the end.
Can’t argue with that (although Berbatov certainly wasn’t just about end product, he got a lot of assists too). I suppose it just further serves to highlight how incomparable KH actually is – probably the second closest comparable I can think of is Gabriel Jesus!
Or Carlton Palmer?
Absolute master-stroke of a signing, and I do have a player comparison. But need to throw out a couple of big caveats here before I get banned from this site… the ceiling of Kai’s talent is higher, and his mentality is of course infinitely superior. But what he brings to our team reminds me a lot of Dele Alli when he was good (and actually playing) for Pochettino’s Spurs. Pretty low touch, false nine type player. But every involvement seems to be a meaningful contribution in the final third, and his movement as well as decision making in attacking positions… Read more »
It’s a pretty good comparison actually.
Thankfully, Havertz has never been called “fucking lazy” by Jose Mourinho.
You forgot he can play left back too
😂😂😂
Nothing false about Kai. That’s a proper CF. Ask Mosquera or any CB he goes up against. Height, quickness, balance, darting movement off the back shoulder, he’s got the lot. You saw that goal yesterday, proper CF’s header. What makes him unique is that he also has the technique and work rate to play in deeper zones. Just casually assumed Declan’s roving 8 role late in the game and you didn’t notice a difference. He’s a unicorn whose main value is off the ball but can still contribute goals. I can’t even cite a proper comp, like who’s a proper… Read more »
Emery is trying the same tactic with onana, but it is more situational than positional. Interesting to see how it works for them (hope it doesn’t, Dracula can do one).
Surprisingly, no one in this thread has made the comparison with Muller? Muller was always a bit of a conundrum – what was he really good at? not particularly quick or a great dribbler; physical but not in a bulldozing your way kind; incredible knack to pop-up in space and cause mayhem. While not an exciting player, his abilities were highly appreciated by a series of top notch coaches at the highest level. I see a lot of similarity with Havertz in that respect.
Raumdeuteur
I think it’s settled that #9 position is Havertz’ best position in this team. This leaves us light in midfield imo: Rice seems best occupying the ‘left 8’ position, which is also where Merino supposedly operates best. Even if we push Rice back to 6, Rice becomes Merino’s first deputy at left 8 and that seems risky (if one or the other gets injured). To be competitive across the board, on top of Merino, we should strive for a ‘younger Jorginho’ type to anchor the midfield (relying on Partey seems very unsustainable). Also, I believe we should upgrade Eddie +… Read more »
I think Rice best position is the 6. Most of his assists came from corners and free kicks which he can still take and his ability to read the attack and intercept bodes well for DM. Definitely do with an upgrade on eddie.
Waka, waka, hey hey!
60 million down the drain!
Kai Havertz scores again!
He is instrumentall in the team structure, he is everywhere not just attack, when we defend the or the opossiton makes counter attack he is one of the firt player you will see that tracked back in front our box. How many defenseve actions or how many times he win the ball yesterday.
Normally someone who plays both midfield and striker would be viewed as not good enough for either. He may be on the verge of being an elite striker and at worst a very good midfielder.
I mean the difference is he doesn’t have Berbatov or Arshavin levels of quality. Football has changed. Maybe it’s just me but goal of the week was full of great goals 15 years ago. Now it’s “football” by numbers. Efficient, maybe more goals and that’s fine but as an art form – it’s become science and Havertz fits that science extremely well.
Fact of the matter is this; many, too many so called fans gave Havertz a hard and harsh time ealy on last season. Even on these pages there were harsh words, some of a personal nature, about his form, transfer fee and ex club. He was always going to prove the doubters wrong and I am so pleased he has settled in and done exactly that. To talk about Havertz and Ozil in the same sentence makes no sense except in respect of their nationality. Ozil and one or two others at the time were only interested in the pay… Read more »