Amid links to strikers like Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres this summer, Kai Havertz has been somewhat forgotten by some Arsenal fans.
Kai Havertz missed most of the second half of the season at Arsenal owing to an untimely hamstring injury, but he did return just before the campaign’s end.
But in hypothetical starting elevens that Arsenal fans are making right now including the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Havertz is nowhere to be seen.
Arsenal do want to sign Benjamin Sesko, and his name is often in the number nine role in those teams, playing right beside Bukayo Saka.
However, regardless of who Arsenal sign this summer, Havertz does still have an excellent chance of starting the first game of next season.
Kai Havertz is still a ‘massive’ part of Arsenal’s plans next season
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has shared some insight into Havertz’s situation right now, explaining why he is still a ‘massive’ part of the club’s plans.
And perhaps Mikel Arteta’s faith in Havertz is partly why Arsenal are reluctant to pay Sesko’s new asking price.
Kai Havertz applauds Arsenal fans following their win over Newcastle.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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Sesko is frustrated in Germany right now that he’s being somewhat priced out of a move to the Emirates — the striker thought he had a lower agreement with RB Leipzig.
But focusing solely on Havertz’s situation, Bailey said: “Havertz is a massive part of the squad and is Arsenal’s highest paid player currently.
“I don’t think the arrival of a new striker impacts him massively. I think it impacts Gabriel Jesus more, it underlines that he has no future at Arsenal.
“Whether it’s Gyokeres or Sesko that comes in I don’t think it’s guaranteed that Havertz isn’t starting up front in the first game of the season.
“Arsenal absolutely love him, they make that point all the time. The person that comes in is to bolster the squad, not to replace Havertz.”
Is Benjamin Sesko good enough to bench Kai Havertz?
Therefore, with Arsenal very content with Havertz as their starting striker, perhaps that is why they won’t pay over the odds for someone like Sesko, even if he could make a big contribution.
In 23 Premier League matches last season, Havertz scored nine goals, and perhaps he could have upped that tally to more than 15 had he stayed fit all season.
Arteta will still want more from his number nine, but it’s hard to say that someone like Gyokeres or Sesko could definitely forego Havertz’s scoring in their first season at the Emirates.
The Germany striker had four goals in eight Champions League games and he was having a good campaign up until his injury.
And maybe it is being underestimated somewhat that whoever Arsenal sign this summer, they will still have to win Havertz’s starting spot.