‘Numbers of a dominant player’: Ex-Man City star explains why Arsenal signed Kai Havertz

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Ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha thinks Arsenal signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea this summer because of his aerial ability.

Arsenal brought Kai Havertz in from their London rivals for big money, spending £65m on his signature.

The forward started for the Gunners in their Community Shield triumph over Manchester City last Sunday but was criticised for his display by some, including former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara.

Nevertheless, Onuoha can still understand why Mikel Arteta decided to bring Havertz to the Emirates during this transfer window.

Speaking on The Gab & Juls Show, the former defender said: “One of the reasons why I think they signed Havertz… he wins a lot of duels. He wins more duels than he loses. I think he wins like two-thirds of his duels — those are essentially numbers of a dominant player.”

Onuoha later went on to add: “Anyone who plays against him knows that when you’re trying to get the ball off him, especially from something in the air, it’s tough.”

Kai Havertz’s best position is behind the striker

While Havertz is capable of playing up front, spending a lot of time there during his spell at Chelsea, the German is not a natural centre-forward.

Simply put, he is just not prolific enough to be one. While he may be able to do a job there for Arsenal every now and again, like in the Community Shield, Arteta probably has to start him a bit deeper if he wants to get the best out of his new signing.

Given that the north London club already have a really good No.9 in Gabriel Jesus in their ranks, in the long run, you would expect that to be the plan for Havertz.

In the Brazilian’s absence, though, it looks like the 24-year-old will get minutes as a striker, while Eddie Nketiah is also another option for Arteta.

Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign with a home fixture against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and if Havertz is asked to lead the line again, supporters will be hoping that he can convert this time around.