Mikel Arteta’s Transformation: From Havertz Flop to Gamechanger
When Arsenal splashed out £75 million on German international Kai Havertz, fans across the Premier League were surprised and skeptical. Havertz had been labeled a flop during his time at Chelsea and struggled to find his footing as a No9. However, if we take a step back and analyze the situation, were Arsenal truly overpaying for Havertz?
Havertz is a versatile attacking player, having played as a No8, No10, and No9. He boasts an impressive record with 42 caps and 14 goals for Germany, and even scored the winning goal for Chelsea in a Champions League final. When the deal for Havertz was announced, it was clear that Mikel Arteta had a plan to utilize him in the midfield, adding physicality and attacking quality to the team.
However, in recent weeks, we have witnessed Havertz truly come into his own for Arsenal as he has taken on the role of leading the line once again. Arteta’s desire for a compact attacking phase has transformed Havertz into the perfect player to play as Arsenal’s No9.
One of Havertz’s biggest strengths is his movement and ability to find and exploit space in the final third. During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, he played as a No10 or second striker, roaming around the final third and occupying spaces in the channels to receive the ball and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Initially, when Havertz moved to Arsenal, he struggled to find and use pockets of space effectively. However, in recent weeks, we have seen him regain his confidence and roam more freely around the final third, creating a constant threat.
Earlier in the season, Arsenal lacked a spark in their attacking approach. While they were strong defensively, their structured play in possession limited their goal-scoring opportunities. Arteta recognized this issue and started using Havertz to create a threat against the opposition, dragging defenders out of shape and creating space for his teammates further up the pitch. This approach has unlocked the same kind of performances we saw from Havertz during his time at Leverkusen.
Another aspect of Havertz’s game that has improved under Arteta is his movement in the penalty area. As a central striker, Havertz creates angles and intelligently pulls off defenders to find space to attack crosses and passes into the penalty area. His ability to act as a focal point and occupy central defenders is crucial for a top team. Arteta trusts Havertz to be mobile in the initial stages of the attack, but also to position himself effectively and occupy the central defenders when Arsenal break into the final third.
Furthermore, Havertz’s technical ability and strength allow him to play with his back to goal and involve his teammates in the game. He can receive the ball effectively under pressure and quickly lay it off with one or two touches, bringing other players into the game. This ability to link play and build the play at the desired tempo while maintaining compactness has been instrumental in Arsenal’s recent success.
Arteta has not only played to Havertz’s strengths but also unlocked aspects of his game that made him one of the most highly rated young players in Germany. The trust Arteta has placed in Havertz to lead the line has been crucial for Arsenal’s chances of competing for the Premier League title against tough opponents like Liverpool and Manchester City. Havertz’s profile as a player who can link everything together has proven to be a gamechanger for Arsenal.
In conclusion, Mikel Arteta’s transformation of Kai Havertz from a perceived flop to a gamechanger has been remarkable. By utilizing Havertz’s strengths, such as his movement, ability to create space, and technical ability, Arteta has found a way to maximize his potential. If Arsenal continue on this path, Havertz’s new role will play a vital part in their pursuit of the Premier League title.