Arsenal are on the lookout for a new forward in the summer transfer window. But having originally looked for a centre-forward, it now looks like the Gunners are after a player who can play across the frontline.
Benjamin Sesko was the main target, but once he signed a new long-term contract with RB Leipzig, Arsenal changed tack.
The Gunners are no longer looking for an out-and-out striker, but someone who can slot in anywhere in Mikel Arteta’s front three.
Arteta signed Kai Havertz last summer, splashing out £65million on the frontman from local rivals Chelsea. Havertz had hardly set the world alight at Stamford Bridge, but Arteta saw something in the German to splash the cash.
Havertz started slowly at Arsenal but ended the season on fire, scoring nine and assisting six in the final 14 Premier League games of the season – more than a goal involvement every game.
Arteta signed Havertz with a midfield berth in mind, but slowly used him as a centre-forward, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard playing off him.
Havertz is the number nine for Germany, playing through the middle with the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan playing off him. He is their man main, despite the likes of Niclas Fullkrug being in the squad.
Havertz’s movement is good and he drew defenders away to allow Wirtz to strike the opening goal against Scotland in Euro 24’s opening clash. He does even better for the second Germany goal.
Sitting well onside, he waits for a through ball to run on to and could take a shot himself. However, he cuts back and rolls the ball back to Jamal Musiala to fire home a fine goal.
Havertz’s run off the shoulder of the defender, in behind the Scottish defence, shows just how capable he is as a frontman.
Before half-time, a VAR intervention handed Germany an opportunity from the penalty spot, after Ryan Porteous was sent off for an awful challenge on Gundogan. Gundogan would normally step up from 12 yards, but it was Havertz who took responsibility and after a stutter he fired straight down the middle to cap an impressive first half display.
Arteta knows he does not need an out-and-out striker in the summer transfer window. And with Havertz showing, not just in the Euro 2024 opener, but at the end of the Premier League campaign as well, that he can play the role, Arsenal’s transfer plan has been proved right.
