The reasoning behind Arsenal's interest in goalshy Chelsea forward Havertz

 

For a player who scored just seven league goals and massively underperformed his xG last season, there is still significant interest in Chelsea striker Kai Havertz. Real Madrid were previously keen on the Germany international, though have since switched targets to Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe. Now, Arsenal are believed to be the frontrunners for the 24-year-old and many are perplexed as to why. 

 

Since Chelsea made Havertz their then-club record signing back in 2020, the forward has scored 19 league goals. Given the Blues found the back of the net just 38 times in 2022/23, fewer than relegated pair Leicester (51) and Leeds (48), Chelsea's pursuit of strikers this summer isn't a surprise. Havertz, after all, was part of their problem in the final third. 

 

Only Patrick Bamford (-5.2) underperformed on his xG total relative to goal haul than Havertz (-5.1) in England's top tier last term, with the profligacy proving a hindrance for the west London side. 

 

Why, then, are Arsenal looking to spend big on Havertz this summer? Only Manchester City (94) scored more goals than the Gunners (88) in the Premier League last season. Arsenal had four players hit double figures for goals, more than any other team. Mikel Arteta's side need to reinforce in midfield before they focus their efforts on bolstering their attack, though their ongoing pursuit of Declan Rice shows they are seeking to strengthen in the middle of the park. 

 

Interest in Havertz may well be a smokescreen, but... there is method to the madness of reports of a move for the former Bayer Leverkusen man. Arteta already has a versatile attacker in Leandro Trossard at the Emirates, the Belgian making an immediate impact following his January arrival from Brighton. 

 

Yet Arsenal's title challenge, while unsuccessful, highlights the importance of strength in depth in all areas, particularly with the north London side set to compete on four fronts next season, including the Champions League for the first time since 2017. Upgrading in key areas is of the utmost importance and, arguably, the Gunners could do with another all-round forward to help ease the burden on Gabriel Jesus. 

 

Eddie Nketiah shouldered the burden well in the Brazilian's absence, but there is an argument to be made that Havertz would be a better fit on the frontline. What makes Jesus such an important player at for the Gunners is the willingness to drop deep and pull to the wings in search of the ball. This then allows the wingers - Gabriel Martinelli from the left and Bukayo Saka from the right - to capitalise on the space vacated when the Brazilian drifts away from central areas. 

 

 

Nketiah is more of an old-fashioned number nine by comparison, and while he didn't disappoint, the Gunners' offensive approach suffered when he deputised for Jesus. As such, Havertz could be considered one to bridge the gap between Nketiah and Jesus. It's impossible to pigeon-hole Havertz as a specific striker, that much is obvious. He is able to lead the charge, albeit not as the traditional number nine, and is capable of playing out wide or in support of another striker. 

 

He may not be the prolific frontman some Arsenal fans may crave, but then nor was Jesus. At his rate of 0.4 goals per game, Jesus would have ended the season with 15 league goals had he been fit for the full 38 matches. What makes Jesus such a favourite at the Emirates is the work he does away from goal to draw defenders out. Havertz's instinct of finding pockets of space in the final third is an underrated trait, and one that certainly suit Arsenal's system under Arteta. 

 

With a willingness to drop between the opposition defence and midfield, this would allow Arsenal to continue to implement their best attacking plan, which was one where the central striker would drop in to receive the ball, and see Martinelli and Saka make darting runs into the box. There's the tactical flexibility, that again appeals to Arteta, which went some way to helping Trossard immediately succeed at the club. 

 

What is also key, though, is that he'd afford Arteta an alternative attacking approach against teams that use a low block. At 6'3, Havertz is no slouch, and Chelsea did utilise his standing to good effect last season. Indeed, 24 headed efforts was the sixth most in the Premier League last season, while Arsenal as a team managed 76, the fifth fewest. For a team that has developed statistically calculated WhoScored strengths of 'attacking down the wings' and 'attacking set pieces', Arsenal would have an additional aerial threat to utilise these qualities to their game. 

 

Additionally, there is the knack for scoring the goals in the big games, notably the 2021 Champions League and Club World Cup finals, where Havertz bagged the winning goal in the former shortly before the break and the latter having tucked away from the penalty in extra time. 

 

Having been miscast in a disfunctional Chelsea system since his arrival in 2020, there is the possibility that he could find a home at Arsenal, and a change of surrounding could be just what the player needs to get his career back on track. On the face of it, Arsenal's interest can be considered misguided. In truth, Havertz could prove the perfect fit for Arteta's side.

The reasoning behind Arsenal's interest in goalshy Chelsea forward Havertz