28 June 2023 , 08:12
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Kai Havertz's transfer to Arsenal is expected to be confirmed imminently but his shirt number for the Gunners has already been revealed.
The Germany international will controversially make the short trip across London and leave Chelsea to join Mikel Arteta's revolution at the Emirates. Arsenal have agreed to part ways with a £65million fee, including £15m in add-ons, to land the 24-year-old's signature.
While the deal has not yet been announced, Havertz has explained the reasoning behind both the transfer itself and why he will don the number 29 for the Gunners next season. His first interview as an Arsenal player has been leaked online, along with his announcement video.
"So I have it now for many years," Havertz explained, referencing the fact it has been squad number for both Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea.
"I chose it when I became a professional in Germany and since then it’s always given me luck. You know when I became a professional I took it because it has some history with my brother.
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"We used to take it always when we played video games together. For me, it’s a perfect number and I cannot wait to wear it playing in red again."
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Kai Havertz will wear the number 29 for Arsenal (Twitter)Arsenal's number 29 shirt has been left vacant since the departure of Matteo Guendouzi, its last occupant. Havertz will be hoping to fare significantly better than the Frenchman, who left under a cloud after falling out with boss Arteta.
A similar fate for Havertz is unlikely, with the Arsenal manager already talking him up before any deal has even been announced.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca, Arteta explained: "Talent comes at a price, and at Arsenal we are always interested in youngsters with experience.
"I repeat, I'm not talking about players from other clubs, but in the case of Kai he has already shown a lot, including in the Champions League. He is a talented player, versatile and only 24 years old."
Arteta has Arsenal operating like a well-oiled machine nowadays and Havertz knows that first-hand, having been beaten home and away by the Gunners while still a Chelsea player last term.
He seemed to allude to that during his first Arsenal interview, as he added: "You can see the family mentality the team has on the pitch and I guess they have it off the pitch as well.
"The team mentality in the squad is very, very high and you can feel that. That was one of the reasons why it was so hard to play against Arsenal."