Ray Parlour Excited by Kai Havertz’s Move to Arsenal
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has backed Kai Havertz to emulate Martin Odegaard’s success at the club following his £65m move from Chelsea. The German international has signed a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium and Parlour believes he can revive his career at Arsenal.
Havertz scored 19 goals in 91 Premier League appearances for the Blues and netted the winner in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City. While Chelsea finished just 12th last season, Havertz joins an Arsenal team that challenged for the title before finishing second, five points behind Man City.
Parlour believes Havertz will be a ‘really good signing’ for his former club and reckons he can emulate Odegaard by reviving his career at Arsenal. Odegaard’s career was flagging during his spell at Real Madrid but the Norway midfielder and Gunners captain is now considered one of the best players in the Premier League.
‘Kai Havertz has a massive opportunity,’ Arsenal hero Parlour told JBI Training. ‘I don’t think we’ve seen the real Havertz over the last couple of seasons, especially after Thomas Tuchel left the club. I think he could be a really good signing. You need quality back-up across all positions, and I think he can play in a number of roles for Arsenal.’
Parlour also believes that Mikel Arteta has done his homework on Havertz and knows how to get the best out of him. ‘We saw him play as a number nine for Chelsea, but I don’t think that is his best position. I can see him playing deeper than that at Arsenal, and with the club returning to the Champions League, you need to have that strength in depth.
‘Mikel Arteta would have done his homework on the player. Arsenal were a real team last year. They were completely united, there was that connection with the fans. If Kai Havertz feels that and Mikel Arteta thinks that he can be a very important player for Arsenal, then I think he will be a really good signing.’
Havertz is set to join a number of new arrivals at Arsenal this summer, including Gabriel Magalhaes, Willian and Dani Ceballos. The Gunners have also been linked with a move for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and Parlour believes that if they can execute their transfer plans, they will be in a strong position next season.
‘The transfer business looks good at the moment. Arsenal have highlighted the players that they need, so they just have to execute that now.’
With Havertz joining Arsenal, it is an exciting time for the club and their fans. Parlour believes that if Arteta can get the best out of the German international, he could prove to be a great signing for the Gunners.