Arteta could miss out on a reported targetplaceholder image
Arteta could miss out on a reported target | Getty Images
Arsenal are considering a move for Eberechi Eze, but do previous comments about an Emirates star prove he isn’t needed?
Mikel Arteta has gone about his business quietly and effectively this summer for Arsenal with a good squad now looking like one that could finally go the distance.
Experience and quality have added depth to the midfield in the shape of Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubamendi with the exciting signings being the ones made to the forward line. A no.9 has been top of the shopping list for some time and, after moving on from Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres was signed to fire the Gunners to the Premier League title. For too long, Arteta has had to make do or put a square peg in a round hole, not any more though.
Kai Havertz is the example for other Arsenal players to follow
The man who has had to carry the burden for most of this time has been Kai Havertz, a player who Arteta has already praised this summer and set as an example for others to follow: "To be fair, the staff and how they have explained the opportunity that is within with his physique to go to a different level and the things that he can improve and it can even help him mentally as well as being more effective as a player,” Arteta said via ESPN.
"He got on board with that, he worked hard, got on board with that, you can see his presence and I think he destroyed all the metrics that we had in the gym for the last 10 years. Power, acceleration, muscle mass, the way that he has increased certain capacities in his body, his agility, he's been incredible. I was talking to the medical staff the other day and they were talking about that.”
Havertz praise is proof Arsenal are yet to see the best of playmaker
It can be easy to forget due to how both Arsenal and Chelsea have used the Germany international, but Havertz made his name as a graceful and almost maverick-like no.10 at Bayer Leverkusen. At still only 26, his best years could still be ahead of him and Gyokeres’ arrival shouldn’t mean that he has to miss out. Before moving to England, three of German football’s biggest personalities couldn’t speak highly enough of a player who Arsenal could yet see the best of in his natural position
“He’s an extraordinary player. Anyone who can recognise situations like that is something special – and he’s something special,” said Matthias Sammer via Planet Football. “We’ve had many good players through the history of the club at Bayer Leverkusen, but Kai Havertz is the best of them all,” proclaimed Rudi Voller, one of Europe’s finest strikers in his day.
Current Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is also a fan who suggested that the Arsenal no.29 could play for anyone: “I think very few coaches wouldn’t want to have Kai Havertz in their team. He has developed enormously at Leverkusen. He moves very well between the lines, is quite fast, safe on the ball and is good at finding space. He has got a strong goal-scoring instinct at a young age.”
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