By Rob Worthington (Deputy Editor)
After being touted as the Granit Xhaka replacement by many associated with Arsenal when he signed for the club in June, it surprised many when Kai Havertz was played up front against Manchester City in the Community Shield Final in early August.
The German attacker alleviated pre-match concerns by offering Arsenal fans something they hadn't seen in the centre-forward role since the Olivier Giroud's 2018 departure - a focal point. Havertz may not have scored on the day, but he impressed in the striker position.
Despite his promising start to life in red and white up front, Mikel Arteta has opted not once to deploy Havertz up front from the start of an Arsenal match since the Community Shield final. He's played in the left #8 role most regularly, the position vacated by Granit Xhaka in the summer. More recently he's also operated on the right hand-side of the midfield three.
And in these positions, he's delivered some pretty terrible performances and some pretty ok performances. Defensively, where many thought he'd struggle, he's proven to be up to task. Nonetheless, he hasn't proven to be an upgrade on Granit Xhaka in an attacking sense as many expected him to be.
It would appear that Havertz is slowly growing into the role of playing as an advanced midfielder under Mikel Arteta. He's looked a little more comfortable operating on the right and his presence on that side of the pitch has opened up space for Bukayo Saka to attack.
And that's great. It'd seem that when needed he'll be able to a job filling in for Martin Ødegaard on the right hand-side of that midfield three. That said, his best quality thus far in midfield has proven to be facilitating. Distracting defenders and opening up space for those around him.
However, it'd be fair to say that when you buy an attacking player for £65 million, they should be adding a little more than facilitation.
That is why it's time to return Kai Havertz to a position in which he can make the most of his unique skillset, and that position is centre-forward. I am aware that many of you will now be scratching your heads considering how poor Havertz often was as a striker during his time in West London with Chelsea.
I for one am not going to judge Havertz too harshly based on his performances as a striker in one of the worst Chelsea teams the Premier League has ever seen last term. Even in the context of the terrible structure surrounding him, he managed finish the season as Chelsea's top scorer with 7 Premier League goals.
Let's not forget Havertz also spent a third of his time at Chelsea playing under one of the most tactically inept managers Premier League has seen in recent years in Frank Lampard.
Havertz arrived on the British shores as a promising versatile centre-forward talent, and he should be given the opportunity to show just how good he can be in that role with better players around him. Now is the time to give him that chance.
With Arsenal muddling their way through a bit of an injury crisis up front, it's not even as if anyone has to be dropped to make room for Havertz. Leo Trossard looked good up top for Arsenal against Sevilla on Wednesday, but he's never been a nailed-on starter for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta clearly wants more from his striker than Leo Trossard can offer him. There must be a reason why the Belgian has never been consistently selected in that role in an Arsenal shirt. Havertz could fill the blanks Trossard leaves.
Just looking at Havertz, you can tell he belongs in the box. His sheer size screams target man. Searching crosses from the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Ødegaard don't need to find a box crashing Havertz. They can find a Kai Havertz stationed primarily within the dimensions of the penalty area.
Havertz would also offer Arsenal a useful escape route as a forward. This was certainly apparent against Man City in the Community Shield. When City engaged their press, Arsenal could go long thanks to the German's strong back-to-goal play. David Raya's panicky moments could also decrease in regularity if he has a proper target to hit up front.
Arsenal miss a trick when they don't have Gabriel Jesus in the team. Eddie Nketiah may be one of the better back-up striker options in the English top flight, but he hurts Arsenal in the build up. Boasting the technical quality of a midfielder in a striker role, Havertz is able to keep Arsenal playing free-flowing football in a way in which Nketiah can’t.
Simply put, Kai Havertz is also desperate to get on the scoresheet from open play for Arsenal. Every time he gets in goal scoring positions the tension is almost palpable. It would benefit all associated with Arsenal Football Club if he breaks that duck. It's more likely to happen if he is operating closer to goal.
Arsenal face Burnley at the Emirates this weekend. As Mikel Arteta showed against Sheffield United, he's now prepared to rotate his Arsenal team against poorer opposition. It's time to let Kai Havertz show the Arsenal faithful what he can do as a centre-forward.
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