Kai Havertz: Settling in at Arsenal and Ready to Shine
As introductions go, there was a sense of familiarity for Kai Havertz in the red and white of Arsenal in Nuremberg. He was not only back in his home country, where he received a loving reception from a Max Morlock Stadion filled with fans of the Gunners. The 24-year-old had spent the past week settling in at Adidas HQ, where he has previously spent time with the German national team, and is now getting to work with a team he has always identified with.
Arsenal drew 1-1 in the pre-season friendly, with Bukayo Saka opening the scoring before Jorginho scored an odd own goal from 35 yards out — while seemingly trying to pass back to substitute goalkeeper Karl Hein — to gift their Bundesliga hosts an equaliser. But Havertz is convinced his move across London from Chelsea this summer is the right one.
“It was clear after last season that I wanted to do the next step,” he said after a second-half cameo. “This is the perfect club for me now to come back to my best level. Hopefully I’m going to show something good here and be well prepared for the season that’s coming.
“He (Mikel Arteta) just spoke of the way he sees football, there’s so much strategy behind everything and this is what impressed me the most. From outside I have to say that Arsenal always felt like a family to me even when I played against them. To feel this energy from the players and fans was very nice.”
Havertz has arrived at Arsenal with a gap potentially opening up on the left of their midfield three after Granit Xhaka’s move to Bayer Leverkusen. The Swiss international thrived off the freedom in that role last season, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists. This is the role Havertz is expected to fill, as he did on his debut tonight. Even so, he is not expected to exactly replicate his predecessor.
“He’s (Havertz) not a replacement,” Arteta said. “He’s not gonna be a like-for-like because everybody’s going to be very different to what Granit gave us. It will be very different but Kai has tremendous qualities for our way of playing.
“It’s the talent, the quality, the physicality and the goal threat that he has shown over the past few years. I think it’s true that we have to see how we adapt him the best. He needs to build some relationships on that pitch, but so far he’s adapting really well and we’re really happy to have him.”
Havertz arrives off the back of a season where their machine appears to finally running smoothly. Although he will not be a ‘replacement’ for Xhaka, he may have more clarity in his role than he previously did at Chelsea which could prove beneficial.
“I’m quite flexible and I’ have played lots of positions over the last couple of years,” the Germany forward added. “Last year I came more off the No 9 but I am used to this midfield position because I played there from a young age and now it’s time to just get all the movements back into my brain and hopefully it will be good on the pitch.
“Maybe having a settled position will be good for me, let’s see. I’m just happy to be on the pitch with the boys. You see the talent they have and the strategy the manager shows, it’s just fun to be on the pitch.”
A stable club may also be an important factor in Havertz’s progression in north London. In his three years at Chelsea, he had three full-time and two interim head coaches while Arsenal have been led by Arteta since December 2019 — when Havertz played for Bayer Leverkusen.
“For a young player, that’s very important,” he added. “I had a lot of managers in the last years and to always get used to new styles is not the best thing. So I am very happy now to be with this manager and I think I have lots or room to improve as well. He showed me this already and hopefully he will help get the best out of me.”
“Every player is keen to help him and he’s settled well. He’s a really good character. Really humble. He wants to play for us and win with us and we are delighted to have him,” Arteta said.
Kai Havertz’s move to Arsenal has generated excitement among fans and players alike. The 24-year-old German international is confident that joining Arsenal is the right step for his career. With his experience at Adidas HQ and his previous time with the German national team, Havertz feels at home in the red and white of Arsenal.
Havertz’s role at Arsenal is expected to be on the left of their midfield three, filling the gap left by Granit Xhaka’s departure. While he won’t be a direct replacement for Xhaka, Havertz brings his own unique qualities to the team. His talent, quality, physicality, and goal threat make him a valuable asset for Arsenal’s style of play.
Having played in various positions over the years, Havertz is flexible and adaptable. He is comfortable playing as a midfielder, having done so since a young age. With a settled position at Arsenal, Havertz is eager to showcase his skills and contribute to the team’s success.
Joining a stable club like Arsenal is also crucial for Havertz’s development. In his time at Chelsea, he experienced multiple coaching changes, which made it difficult to adapt to different styles of play. Now, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Havertz feels he has the opportunity to improve and reach his full potential.
Arteta is impressed with Havertz’s qualities and believes he will be a valuable addition to the team. The manager acknowledges that Havertz is not a like-for-like replacement for Xhaka but sees tremendous potential in him. Building relationships on the pitch and adapting to Arsenal’s style of play will be key for Havertz’s success.
The Arsenal players are excited to have Havertz on board. They appreciate his talent, humility, and desire to win. Havertz’s positive attitude and willingness to contribute to the team’s success have made him a popular figure among his new teammates.
Overall, Kai Havertz’s move to Arsenal has generated optimism and excitement. With his talent, versatility, and the stability of the club, Havertz has the potential to thrive at Arsenal. Fans and players alike are eagerly awaiting his contributions on the pitch and are confident that he will make a significant impact in the upcoming season.