How Arsenal could line up with Kai Havertz as Mikel Arteta plots midfield revamp
Havertz has been described as “versatile” by manager Mikel Arteta and the imminent £65million signing from Chelsea can operate anywhere across the front three.
But there is also a belief that he can play in midfield and fill the left No8 spot, which Granit Xhaka operated in this season.
Havertz failed to shine at Chelsea as he struggled to find a position that suited him, with the 24-year-old often used as a central striker.
Arsenal believe he could shine in midfield alongside captain Martin Odegaard, who would play as the other No8, and Declan Rice, who would sit in front of the back four.
“Talent comes at a price, and at Arsenal we are always interested in youngsters with experience,” Arteta said in interview with Marca last week. “I’m not talking about players from other clubs, but in the case of Kai he has already shown a lot, including [winning] a Champions League. He is a talented player, versatile and only 24 years old.”
Arsenal’s new-look midfield would be a huge shift from their first-choice trio this season, which was Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Odegaard.
Havertz would bring more attacking threat to the role, although it would leave greater onus on Rice’s defensive duties.
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Arsenal play with a fluid style in attack, which involves players rotating position, and that would suit Havertz.
“I want to be influential in the game, get the ball, drop sometimes into midfield and start attacks there,” the German said last year.
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