Mikel Arteta has not given up on Kai Havertz being Granit Xhaka’s replacement in his midfield.
Playing the left-sided No. 8 role, Xhaka revolutionized Arsenal’s midfield while influencing the attack. Many weren’t sure he should have been allowed to leave in the summer, but he left. Havertz was signed to replace him, but the German hasn’t lived up to the expectations of his signing.
That has seen Arsenal struggle to replace Xhaka. That said, David Ornstein says Mikel Arteta has always appreciated Havertz as a footballer, eyeing him since his Leverkusen days. He expects him to, in the end, master his role as the left-sided No. 8.
Ornstein said so, hinting at the ex-Chelsea man’s style of play and favorite position, saying it is attacking, linking up with the striker.
Mikel Arteta believes Kai Havertz can master the left-sided number eight role.@David_Ornstein reveals Arsenal's interest dates back to his debut season in Germany – and why this position suits him best…
🎙️ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 27, 2023
Havertz had a brilliant cameo in Arsenal’s clash with Brentford when he came on and scored the winner. The hope is that the cameo will be his confidence booster and he will find his magic and come big for the Gunners in the left-sided No. 8 role.
Darren N
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There are signs the big German is slowly coming to life.
His aerial prowess is his forte. This is much needed in the Arsenal team. Although his aerial game will come from late unexpected runs and in midfield from long goal keeper distribution, it gives us that unexpected edge in certain games. It just shows that what we really need is a clinical 20 goal a season tall technical TargetMan, but I will settle for our new midfield TargetMan until we eventually get our much needed forward TargetMan. I like the tactical approach of fullbacks doubling as midfielders and midfielders doubling as mid- TargetMan. He needs to allow Saka and Martinelli to swap positions off the ball and free Rome to confuse the double up defending and drag those rascals out of their position double marking. I am sure he Arteta sees what the rest of us see. Also Saka and Martinelli needs more support from their fullbacks overlapping, which we never see of late.