Pundit thinks Kai Havertz may give Mikel Arteta a real problem after Arsenal win

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Steve Nicol believes that Kai Havertz may be about to give Mikel Arteta a real problem after the German scored for Arsenal in their emphatic victory over Brighton on Saturday.

Arsenal made yet another statement with their performance on the south coast. The Gunners responded to Manchester City’s victory earlier in the day by producing an assured display against Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

Once again, Kai Havertz had a big role to play in the win. Havertz bagged his ninth goal of the Premier League season to double Arsenal’s lead during the second-half.

Given how good the Gunners’ defence has been, that felt like a massive goal in the game itself. And he went on to provide the assist for Leandro Trossard. It was the former Brighton star who put the icing on the cake late on.

The 24-year-old was involved in so much of the good work Arsenal produced. Havertz created a brilliant early chance for Gabriel Jesus. And no player could match his four key passes during the game, according to Whoscored.

Once again, Arsenal fans were given reason to mock those of us who criticised the club for spending big money on Havertz in the summer.

But perhaps some are not completely ready to hold their hands up over Havertz.

Kai Havertz may give Arsenal a real problem this summer

Speaking on ESPN, Steve Nicol insisted that Mikel Arteta never saw this run of form coming, given the fact that he was not playing regularly as a striker until February.

He also suggested that his form could provide the Gunners with an issue heading into the summer.

“He’s doing what Chelsea thought they were buying. What he’s doing for Arsenal is what Chelsea thought they were getting when they signed him,” he said.

“Why did he sign him? He signed him to play in the middle of the park. He signed him to play as part of the three on the left-hand side. That’s why he signed him. Of course, on top of that, when you’re signing him, you think if we have any injuries, if we have suspensions, this guy can play up top.

“So I’m not ready to give Arteta anything, because he didn’t sign him to play centre-forward. But the fact is, when he signed for Chelsea, we all said he’s a good player. We all said that we thought he would be the answer. He would knit everything together, he would get his fair share of goals, he would be this guy.

“The thing is it’s given him a problem because, I think most of us would suggest that, up until a couple of months ago, we’re thinking Arsenal need to buy a centre-forward. So it’s kind of given him a problem. Do we save £100 million on going and getting someone like Osimhen and think this is the finished article, this is what Havertz is going to be?

“I don’t. I don’t think you can trust it. It’s a great spell. But right now, it’s a spell. If he does this between now and the end of the season, and keeps producing these moments, then I think you might change your mind.”

Mikel Arteta took a while to unlock Gunners star’s potential

Nicol makes a valid point. Havertz led the line superbly in the first-half of the Community Shield ahead of this season. And yet, he spent most of the early part of the campaign as a number eight.

That role did not bring the best out of him. And by the time he scored the winner against Brentford in November, he had fallen to the periphery of the squad.

Eventually, Havertz got the chance to stamp his authority on the striker position. And he has definitely taken it with both hands.

Arsenal are interested in Viktor Gyokeres heading into the summer. So it does appear that they still want another goalscorer.

But given that there are not a large number of world-class number nines around right now, you have to say that there appears to be a good chance that Havertz will get the opportunity to keep his spot next season.