‘Can be much better’…Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have a player with ‘incredible qualities’ who is nowhere near his best yet

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal’s title push continues this weekend as they take on Brighton in what will be another tricky game for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta’s side are in fine form and not letting up as it stands.

The Gunners are locked in a three-way battle with Liverpool and Manchester City, who both won this week to continue their own pressured assaults on the title.

For Arsenal, the trick really is to just keep on winning and keeping the pressure on. If they do that, then the league will work itself out and they’ll know they’ve done all they can.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta predicts one squad player will ‘explode’ soon

Of course, to keep winning requires the best Arsenal players to keep doing the business. And that includes the strikers, who will need to keep showing their quality in taking chances.

One man who has come to the fore a bit in more recent weeks is German striker, Kai Havertz.

The big money signing from Chelsea has had his critics this season but in recent weeks has scored some big goals to keep Arsenal well within the title picture.

And speaking about Havertz in today’s press conference, Mikel Arteta has lauded his forward’s contribution.

Mikel Arteta praises Kai Havertz and says there’s more to come

Speaking about Havertz, Arteta was insistent he is happy with his £65m signing and claims the best could even be yet to come.

“I’m very pleased. He’s got incredible qualities to occupy different spaces in the attacking phase, to threaten the goal, to link up play, and when you have to be more direct as well he’ll give you that layout. Not only that, but I also think his contribution defensively is outstanding for the team, with his work rate, and the effort he is putting in the high press especially. He’s got more to come, more games to come, he needs to improve the numbers and I’m sure he will try to do it,” Arteta said.

Adding more when pressed on if Havertz had even shown his very best yet, Arteta insisted the German can do even more.

“I don’t think so. At this age, and he’s just started with us, it’s his first season, he’s building those relationships. He’s moving in those positions as well and he’s that good, and with the intelligence that he has he can be much better.”

• READ MORE: Arsenal could sell their £30m player to Newcastle

Havertz has been playing as the main forward player in a lot of games recently.

However, with Gabriel Jesus now back, it remains to be seen if Arteta will drop the German a touch deeper and go for it.

This weekend’s clash with Brighton is yet another crucial one and given his big-game nature, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Havertz produce again.