So, doubters; how stubborn are you, really?
Are you ready to admit that you might have written off Arsenal’s £65 million signing a little too early? Yes, we are talking to you Graeme Souness. And Simon Jordan, your talkSPORT co-host for that matter.
Back in May, despite a terrific run of form to end his debut season at Arsenal, Liverpool legend Souness implored Mikel Arteta to bring in a replacement.
Former Crystal Palace chairman Jordan refused to row back on his own criticism of the oft-maligned Kai Havertz either, arguing that the German’s sudden smattering of goals was simply a case of ‘if you throw enough stuff at a wall, sometimes it will stick’.
On the evidence of Tuesday night, however, even Havertz’ most fierce detractors might struggle to maintain their stance.
Kai Havertz shines as Arsenal thump Bayer Leverkusen
After producing no fewer than 20 goals or assists in the final three months of 2023/24, the former Chelsea forward’s scintillating pre-season displays speak of a man picking up where he left off before the European Championships.
Arteta hailed Havertz’s display in a deeper midfield role as he found the net in a 2-1 loss by Liverpool in the USA.
The elegant 25-year-old then turned on the style against the club where he made his name, showing no mercy on his old employers as Bayer Leverkusen were torn apart like wet tissue paper at the Emirates Stadium.
“Super Havertz dismantles Leverkusen,” was BILD’s headline of choice.
As the clock struck nine, Havertz already had two assists to his name.
Drifting wide as he tends to do, Havertz sled an inch perfect pass into the path of Oleksandr Zinchenko. It was begging to be hit and the Ukrainian obliged, lashing past former Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar and into the bottom corner.
Havertz then flicked the ball into Leandro Trossard’s path mere seconds later as the Belgian strolled in a second. A goal of his own arrived in the second-half – Bukayo Saka back in action and bamboozling his way through – before Gabriel Jesus continued his post-injury fightback with a fine solo effort.
“The German international led Arsenal to a clear 4-1 friendly victory against champions Bayer Leverkusen with an outstanding performance,” BILD write. “He provided two assists and scored a goal; Havertz dismantled his former club.
“Havertz crowned his gala performance with a tap-in to make it 4-0.”
Mikel Arteta hails Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard role
Much has been made of Arsenal’s lack of movement in the transfer market this summer. Particularly with regards to the number nine spot.
Despite links with Ivan Toney, Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon talisman Viktor Gyokeres, it looks like The Gunners will enter a new Premier League season with the same frontline that ended the last one.
Though while Havertz, Jesus and Trossard might not be challenging Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot standings, Arteta feels that a mobile and highly-complimentary front three can make up for the lack of a prolific centre-forward ‘in the aggregate’ – as Billy Beane would say – while bringing out the best in each other.
“It’s something that you can see coming. It’s natural and it flows,” Arteta told Football London of that Havertz, Jesus and Trossard connection. “There is good chemistry between them and Leo too, because those three all have that false nine profile.
“I really liked what I saw today.”
“You have to be very sensitive to read the information the players are giving you. Not only individually, but the chemistry within the units. How things flow on one side or the other.
“It’s telling something that we can still develop, especially on our left side. Those combinations are giving us options and they are all really, really good players so the competition is quite big there.”
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