Kai Havertz’s Impending Transfer to Arsenal Could Unsettle Eddie Nketiah
Arsenal is reportedly close to signing Kai Havertz from Chelsea for a fee of £65 million. The German international is expected to provide cover and competition up top, as well as offer a more attacking option in one of Mikel Arteta’s advanced midfielder roles. Havertz predominantly played as a centre-forward or false nine for Chelsea last season, scoring eight times in 30 starts in all competitions in that role. He played as more of a number 10 at previous club Bayer Leverkusen and generally lines up as an advanced, attacking midfielder for Germany behind a lone striker.
Nketiah is worried that Arsenal’s decision to invest so heavily in another attacker will mean he falls down the pecking order at the club. The 24-year-old played an important – if limited – role for the Gunners last season, particularly while Gabriel Jesus was sidelined after the World Cup. He netted four times in the Premier League from just nine starts, scoring five more times across the FA Cup, Europa League and Carabao Cup.
Over the past two seasons, Nketiah has proven to be a reliable backup striker but The Sun’s report claims he does not want to continue in such a reduced role at this stage of his career – and fears his pitch time could be even more limited following Havertz’s arrival. With Arsenal back in the Champions League, his starts could be limited to just domestic cup competitions but he wants to be playing week in, week out.
Nketiah is reportedly now questioning his future at the club and is conscious of growing interest in him from other Premier League sides. Crystal Palace and West Ham are both especially keen but Arsenal are not keen to sell a player who has been a very dependable part of the squad under Arteta, and the striker may need to force a move.
Arteta, though, rates the forward very highly and does not feel Havertz – who is capable of playing the Granit Xhaka role in midfield – is a direct threat to Nketiah’s game time, while he could utilise different formations and play with two up top more often next season to provide greater opportunities for his attackers.
In conclusion, Arsenal’s potential signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea could unsettle Eddie Nketiah, who is reportedly worried about falling down the pecking order at the club. However, Mikel Arteta rates the forward highly and does not feel Havertz is a direct threat to Nketiah’s game time. The Gunners are not keen to sell a player who has been a dependable part of the squad under Arteta, but the striker may need to force a move if he wants to secure more consistent game time.