Kai Havertz has had a decent Euro 2024 tournament so far with the Arsenal man scoring from the penalty spot against Denmark at the weekend
It was a night to remember for Kai Havertz. The Arsenal star scored Germany’s opener against Denmark to send the Euro 2024 hosts into the quarter-finals.
Making his 50th appearance for his country, Havertz shone inside Signal Iduna Park as Jamal Musiala added to Havertz’s second half penalty to ensure a 2-0 win for the host nation. Havertz calmly slotted past Kasper Schmeichel on 53 minutes, taking his tournament tally to two goals following his strike in the opening match against Scotland.
Interestingly, the strike against Scotland was also a penalty and perhaps shows a new skill which has hardly been seen at Arsenal. Havertz scored 14 goals in 51 appearances for the Gunners last season after making the £65million move to Emirates Stadium from Chelsea.
The German’s first goal for Arsenal was a penalty against Bournemouth in September but since then Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka have been the north Londoners’ main penalty takers. Havertz’s two penalty goals during Euro 2024 perhaps put him in the conversation to take spot kicks more regularly for Arsenal next campaign with his record making for good reading.
According to Transfermarkt, Havertz has taken 20 penalties in his senior career, missing just once, which was for Germany in March last year against Peru. Saka was Arsenal’s main penalty taker during the 2023/24 campaign and scored all six spot kicks he took. Odegaard also had a faultless record, scoring two out of two, while Fabio Vieira and Jorginho were the only other players to take spot kicks last campaign, scoring against Sheffield United and RC Lens respectively.
With the new season starting on August 17, it will be fascinating to see whether Havertz is given more responsibility from the penalty spot, although you would think Saka remains the club’s main penalty taker for now. What Havertz has shown throughout Euro 2024, however, is his ability to be a world class No.9.
Arteta originally deployed Havertz in the Gunners midfield, operating as a No.8 alongside Rice and Odegaard. The 25-year-old did play up front on a number of occasions, however, and perhaps produced some of his best performances at the back end of the season playing that role.
According to TNT Sports, Havertz has had the most shots at Euro 2024, as well as the most shots on target, most touches in the opposition box and highest xG (stats correct as of Saturday night). The Arsenal star is flourishing in the No.9 role with Germany and this perhaps sends a timely reminder to Edu and Arteta regarding the Gunners’ squad for next season.
Arsenal have been linked with signing a striker this summer and football.london understands the north Londoners are interested in improving the forward line. Havertz’s performances show that signing a striker is perhaps not the priority, though, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah also at the club.
Because of the German’s performances, a wide forward may now be prioritised to add to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Of course, a lot can still happen between now and August 30 so it will be interesting to see if Havertz can cement himself as Arsenal’s No.9 for the 2024/25 campaign.
