Mikel Arteta still unsure on Kai Havertz's best role despite Arsenal ace's claim

14 July 2023 , 08:29

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Mikel Arteta still unsure on Kai Havertz's best role despite Arsenal ace's claim

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded he is still unclear on where Kai Havertz is best deployed after the Germany international got his first minutes as a Gunner on Thursday.

The £65million signing came on as a substitute against FC Nurnberg as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw after Bukayo Saka's strike was cancelled out by a Jorginho own goal. Havertz was introduced to the fold at half-time and seemed to occupy a similar sort of role to the one Granit Xhaka used to so often take up for the Gunners.

From the moment Havertz was signed, it has been widely believed that his Arsenal future was as a midfielder, despite the fact that he was more often used as a forward in the false-nine role for former club Chelsea.

After the game, Arteta admitted he is still mulling over where to use his expensive new addition. Pressed for comment on where he thinks Havertz is best deployed, the Gunners boss kept his cards close to his chest.

"We will see. We have to see how he adapts and get to know each other and build relationships. Football is about that and time will tell where he sees best."

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Havertz's best position has often been a divisive topic, with many fans and pundits alike disagreeing over where the former Bayer Leverkusen is at his most lethal.

One man who may have the answer is Havertz himself, with the 24-year-old addressing the concerns while still at Stamford Bridge last season. It is clear the topic is one that gets under the skin of the new Arsenal ace, given he rolled his eyes before giving his thoughts.

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"Everyone asks this question and after three years, everyone should know by now what I can do - that I'm flexible up front and I can play a lot of different positions," the Champions League winner explained.

"Of course, sometimes it's good to play in different positions and sometimes it's bad, but in general I'm an offensive player.

"I like to be in the box, I like to score goals, I like to arrive in the box often and I don't care if I'm there as a No.9 or a No.10. If I'm in the box, I'm there to score goals - and that's it."

One thing that goes against the case for using Havertz as a forward is his profligate nature in front of his goal. Last season, he managed a meagre nine goals in 47 appearances across all competitions for the Blues.

Josh O'Brien