“Something has changed in him” : Mikel Arteta confident about Kai Havertz reaching ‘another level’
Kai Havertz has been one of the most polarizing figures ever since his debut in the Premier League, with good reason. Originally playing an attacking midfielder’s role, the German was appointed to the striker position in Chelsea and now with the Gunners, and has since been widely criticized for his unconvincing performances.
Initially being termed as not clinical enough, Havertz has come a long way trying to adapt his new role. With 4 goals in 7 Premier League matches and a total of 6 in all competitions this season, the German is finally looking like the complete striker he was sought out to be.
The 25-year-old was once again in the scoresheet in the North London club’s 3-1 victory over Southampton, making it the seventh consecutive time he has scored in the Emirates, matching the record set by Robin van Persie. Apart from the German, wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also scored in the latter minutes of the second half to make the game out of reach for Russell Martin’s team.
“He wants more and he’s not satisfied with what he’s doing” : Mikel Arteta impressed by the German’s recent form
In the post-match press conference afterwards, the Spainard coach spoke keenly about his striker, suggesting that his qualities and consistency will be the key for him to become a 20-goal striker.
“You can tell [his confidence has grown], he takes the ball and he runs with the ball. He’s on high press, he goes full gas, the way he holds the ball, the position he takes in the box. He’s an attacking midfielder, he plays as a nine, you don’t know where he is, that’s his football brain. His focus now is ‘I’m going to win the game, I’m going to do it’ and that’s a different thing.” said Arteta.
Strikers usually rely on others to create chances and provide good balls inside the penalty area, but the ones who are good on the ball as well often go at the top. The names of Luis Suarez, Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane come to mind. In his early Dortmund days, the Polish was taught the art of ball control and playing by Jurgen Klopp before he was pushed to the target man spot. Havertz’s career trajectory has also gone a similar way till now, as in his time in Leverkusen, he was regarded as one of the best young attacking midfield prospects.
“When he’s practising, he wants more and he’s not satisfied with what he’s doing because there is still, I think, another level from him, obviously, he’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him and that confidence, you really sense it and now he’s putting it into games and he’s winning football matches which is great.” the Spainard reflected.
Apart from the extraterrestrial goalscoring abilities displayed by Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer, Kai Havertz is just around the corner with the Premier League’s top attackers. But the catch is, the German does way more on the pitch whether on the ball or off, something which simple statistics cannot justify.
