Martin Odegaard admits £65m player was ‘struggling’ when he first joined Arsenal but he’s improved so much

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Arsenal have been incredible over the last two years in the Premier League.

If the Gunners weren’t going up against arguably the best team in the history of this league, they would probably be back-to-back champions at this point.

Arsenal have built an incredible team through smart coaching and clever recruitment.

Indeed, Arsenal’s signings have been pretty-much spot on over the past few years, but there was one signing that took a while to get going.

Cast your mind back a few months and you’ll remember that Kai Havertz had a very slow start to life at Arsenal.

Speaking on Men in Blazers, Martin Odegaard has been discussing Havertz’s start to life at Arsenal, and that famous first goal, a penalty against Bournemouth.

Odegaard says he decided to give the £65m man that penalty because he was struggling in his first few months as an Arsenal player, claiming that he has only improved ever since.

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Martin Odegaard discusses Kai Havertz’s initial struggles

Odegaard shared his verdict on Havertz’s start to life at Arsenal and how he tried to help the German.

“As a captain I want to be someone who is always helping my team to get the best out of everyone. Always do what’s best for the team, that is the main thing,” Odegaard said.

“In terms of the moment, Kai was struggling a little bit in the beginning. He didn’t score the goals he wanted, the big signing, the big name, it was easy for fans to come after him a little bit, but we had this moment and decided it was time for him to get his goal. After that he grew on it.”

Kai Havertz has been unlocked

It took a little while, but Mikel Arteta has seemingly finally cracked the Kai Havertz code.

For the longest time, it was unclear what type of player Havertz is, but now, as he plays in a more advanced attacking role for Arsenal, he’s thriving.

He hit incredible form towards the end of last season, and he’s already got a goal to his name this term.

Havertz could have a huge role to play as Arsenal try to win the Premier League this season.