Arsenal: Kai Havertz form has forced Mikel Arteta into change of plan

Mikel Arteta says Kai Havertz’s form means he has to play as Arsenal’s No9.

The German scored against Brighton and set up another as the Gunners won 3-0 to go back to the top of the Premier League. It takes Havertz’s tally of League goals to 10, which is his best since he moved to England in 2020.

The 24-year-old was signed by Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer for £65million and it was originally planned he would play as a No8.

But asked now if Havertz can’t be moved from his role as a striker due to his from, Arteta said: “Yes. A lot of times the players decide where they have to play. You can have certain ideas but then you see certain relationships and it flows. When it flows you have to let it go.

“That’s what is happening with Kai at the moment, and he feels really comfortable there. The team is really comfortable with him there and the rest has happened naturally.

“He’s certainly having a huge impact on the team. His overall performances have been really good and now his numbers for goal contributions are really high.

Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz

“He needs to maintain that. I think his understanding with the attacking players was superb. I think they had real purpose and connection and a lot of clarity on where to attack and we created many chances.

“He has some fantastic players around him and we have tried to create the right environment for him, which I think is very important for any player, that they feel confident and we hopefully give him the love he needs.

“He has the admiration of the rest of the players and staff at the club and now the supporters of our club, for sure.”