Is Havertz good enough to lead Arsenal to a title charge?

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The story of Kai Havertz’s career has made for interesting observation, as one of the most talented youngsters in Germany was earmarked for big things early on. 

Having emerged from Bayer Leverkusen’s academy as a gifted attacking midfielder, Havertz displayed a keen versatility that saw him also star as a wide forward and as a central striker. 

Yet, a big money transfer to Chelsea was mixed even though he scored the winning goal in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final, three different Blues managers couldn’t get the best out of Havertz.

He thus joined London rivals Arsenal for a reported fee of £65 million in the summer of 2023 and fans of both sides raised eyebrows as to the point of signing an underperforming player. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta saw him as a project to play in a three-man midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, and his slow start to life in Red fooled a few rival fans and pundits alike.

After a period of settling into a new team, the German was moved forward into a false nine position and once he got going, he looked unstoppable. Notably, it coincided with a change in Arsenal’s attitude for the second half of the season as they became a more relentless side going forward. 

Havertz’s first season at the Emirates Stadium ended with a personal best in the Premier League with a tally of 13 goals and seven assists from 37 games. His change of position solved a tactical headache for the manager and increased the belief of the team and fans as Arsenal now had enough firepower to chase Manchester City in the title race.

Although they ultimately fell short of the Cityzens lifting their fourth consecutive league title, the Arsenal faithful are looking forward to what this season holds. 

As they gear up for a third successive title charge against Pep Guardiola’s side, the Gunners are hopeful of finally ending their 21-year title drought. 

Par for the course, Havertz scored their opening goal of the 2024/25 Premier League season and assisted Bukayo Saka’s strike in their 2-0 win over Wolves. With many eager to see how many goals the German would score in the current campaign, Arsenal tickets are expected to see a surge in demand.

Given that much of Arsenal’s summer transfer business has revolved around whether or not to buy a new striker, Havertz responded in the best possible fashion to show he is not under pressure to perform.

Can Havertz be the man to shoot Arsenal to the title?

Havertz’s versatility has almost hampered his progress over the years, but his transformation from an uncertain midfielder into a top-class striker has been one of the best things about Arsenal of 2024. The German looks comfortable in this position and has become a game-changer for Arsenal in their attacking play, yet there are still doubts over his ability to lead their title charge this season.

Havertz has scored and assisted in five different Premier League games in 2024, the most by an Arsenal player in a calendar year since Robin van Persie in 2011 (6 times). He is beginning to show consistency and reliability in output despite offering more than goals with his knack for getting teammates into advantageous positions with his impeccable movement off the ball.

The 25-year-old holds the ball up so well and brings others into play while his work rate is phenomenal, these selfless qualities are in stark contrast to a robotic finisher like Erling Haaland. Indeed, Havertz is now the team’s first-choice centre-forward despite Gabriel Jesus showing impressive form in pre-season and the German resuming late after Euro 2024.

Eddie Nketiah is on his way out of the club this summer, leaving Jesus as the only other traditional striker in the squad. Despite Arsenal’s scouting team reportedly keeping tabs on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Ivan Toney and Benjamin Sesko, they no longer see signing a proven Number 9 as essential. 

Any subsequent signing could be in the wide positions to offer competition and back-up for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. This is because Havertz has finally found a home as the spearhead of Arsenal’s frontline, and ten goals with seven assists in his last 15 games is enough evidence of his new-found edge. 

Arsenal is closing in on Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino as the final signing of this window to bolster their central midfield ranks and talks are underway for a deal that could end up between £ 25 million to £30m. Should the move for the Spaniard be completed on time, a winger may also come in to add quality to their ranks.

Arsenal have been linked with the likes of Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, Raphinha and Federico Chiesa and a late wide option rather than a striker could be the final piece of their title jigsaw. They feel like they have enough fluidity and quality in a frontline that is perfect for Arteta’s expansive style of play which involves two natural wingers and a roaming forward, with pressing from the front a huge part of their system.  

The Gunners need to oversee several outgoings to fund possible acquisitions, and Aaron Ramsdale could follow Nketiah out of the door before the transfer deadline. 

In an alternate scenario where they desperately need to bring in a specialist striker, a move for Ivan Toney could yet suffice, given the England international has one year left on his contract and is thus available for a modest fee. Toney may not be the perfect fit for Arsenal’s pressing structure, but he could provide a goalscoring threat off the bench and is nevertheless a technically gifted striker with a commendable record in the Premier League. 

Arsenal are in a position of strength as Man City’s nearest challengers in a season of uncertainty for other perennial title rivals. What is abundantly clear is that the Gunners are in charge of their destiny and they are set to go all the way in the race for the league crown.  

Havertz will have a crucial role to play in those hopes, and he has a wonderful story to tell should he be able to get the team over the line come May 2025. 

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