Kai Havertz says he hasn't heard the Arsenal exit rumors. That's a good line, Kai. Maybe he's too busy scoring crucial goals, like the one against Brentford on March 9th, or the winner at home against his old club Chelsea on April 23rd. The German international has been a talking point since his £65 million move from Stamford Bridge last summer, and frankly, it wasn't always positive.
Remember the start? It was rough. Havertz didn't bag his first Premier League goal until September 30th against Bournemouth, a penalty, no less. He went the first 10 league games without a goal from open play. Fans, myself included, wondered if Mikel Arteta had lost his mind. He was playing high up the pitch, then deeper, then as a false nine. It felt like Arteta was trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, and the peg was looking increasingly uncomfortable. His xG for the first half of the season was hovering around 0.15 per 90 minutes, not exactly inspiring for an attacker in a title-chasing side.
Then something clicked. After the New Year, Havertz started to look like a different player. The turning point might have been that run of form in March and April. He scored in four consecutive Premier League games: against Sheffield United, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Bournemouth. That’s elite striker stuff. He finished the season with 13 league goals and 7 assists, a respectable return for someone who spent a good chunk of the season finding his feet in a new system. His goal contributions directly led to 18 points for Arsenal in the 2023-24 campaign, including the late winner against Brentford in November and the opener against Brighton in December.
Thing is, the eye test started to match the stats. He was holding up play better, making those late runs into the box, and, most importantly, finishing chances. He created 43 chances in the league, placing him among the top attacking midfielders in the division. His aerial prowess also became a weapon, winning 2.3 aerial duels per game, often in critical areas. Arteta's faith, which many questioned, started to look justified.
Here's the thing: even with that strong finish, the rumors were always going to bubble up. Arsenal spent big money, and the early struggles left an impression. Some fans still see him as a luxury player, not quite the ruthless finisher needed to win a Premier League title. My hot take? Those people are wrong. Havertz is exactly the kind of versatile, intelligent attacker Arsenal needs. He’s not a traditional number nine, and he’s not a pure number ten. He’s a hybrid, and that unpredictability makes him dangerous.
Look, he’s 24 years old. He's just hit double-digit goals in his first season at a new club, playing multiple positions. He’s settled into the team, he’s scoring, and he’s contributing defensively too, with a surprising amount of pressing and tackling in the opposition half. Selling him now, after he’s finally found his stride, would be a monumental mistake. He’s earned his place. I predict Kai Havertz will score 18+ Premier League goals next season and firmly establish himself as one of Arsenal’s most indispensable players.