Kai Havertz reaches key milestone as Arsenal rethink striker transfer plan after major change

Kai Havertz was adjudged to have got a key touch on the ball which nestled in the back of the Monaco net late on Wednesday night. While the touch was only a glance, the overall consensus appears to be that the German has indeed been credited with the third of Arsenal's goals.

This took the German international to 10 for the season, a significant milestone for the forward. Having moved last season and faced quite considerable scrutiny, he ended the campaign strongly, scoring in big games and ending on a tally of 14 after playing much of the first half of the year in midfield.

So far, with less than half the season played, Havertz – should the form continue – is on course to notch more than 20 goals in a single campaign. Quite the number, and certainly a frequency that fans have been asking for from a potential signing in the summer or even this winter.

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There has been a major change behind the scenes for the Gunners with Edu Gaspar resigning from his post and Jason Ayto stepping into the role. The club has since responded with several candidates being considered but nothing is expected before the January market opens.

With that in mind, the idea that the plans for a centre forward will be a priority seem slim. It would be a major investment and the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, who has ruled out a winter transfer already, would instead be of the club's attention in the summer.

Depending on who comes in to replace Edu, they will have their own ideas about different potential areas of recruitment. Names like Roberto Olabe may want someone different to an Ayto or Dan Ashworth, for example.

Havertz, meanwhile, needs to continue on his current path, score goals and help win games. The form of the side overall has been down of late, but a recent upturn in wins has changed the mood of the fan base to a degree.

The German's versatility would also stand him in good stead was the club to sign another forward. He can play in midfield or as a second striker, supporting the new arrival.

Mikel Arteta is very fond of Havertz and stuck his neck out in 2023 when he signed off on a £65million move to bring in the widely-scrutinised Chelsea attacker. He has, in the most part, been vindicated in that decision, but it is not one thought to be a blockade to a forward coming through the doors at Sobha Realty Training Centre - it may just not be this winter that it happens.