Kai Havertz is set to officially join Arsenal next week, with Mikel Arteta playing a key role in convincing the Chelsea man to make the switch.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Kai Havertz of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Kai Havertz of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reports that Kai Havertz will be unveiled as an Arsenal player sometime next week, with various outlets claiming he was set to hold his medical this weekend.

Mikel Arteta was reportedly crucial to the move, doing everything he could to convince Havertz to swap Chelsea for the Gunners over top alternatives like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

But it seems the 24-year-old didn’t need much convincing, as he believes playing for Arsenal and Arteta was the best project on offer to him, and the best project in Europe right now.

The player believes Arteta’s style and ideas will help to make him a better footballer.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

It wasn’t just Arteta who got in touch with Havertz, as Romano adds that various members of the Arsenal squad also messaged the German, and their off-field connection already looks good.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Kai Havertz of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2023. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Kai Havertz of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2023. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Speaking in an interview with Marca, Arteta wouldn’t say too much on Havertz ahead of the player’s official unveiling, but he did have a few words of praise.

“In the case of Kai, he has already shown a lot, including a Champions League,” Arteta said.

“He is a talented, versatile player and he is only 24 years old.”

On Wednesday, David Ornstein broke the news that Arsenal had reached an agreement in principle with Chelsea for the transfer of Havertz.

The deal is set to be worth around £65m, with Ornstein adding that personal terms were already in place.

Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian and James Olley of ESPN then wrote that Havertz’s move to Arsenal should be announced early next week, after a medical this weekend.

Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge in London on March 18, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German midfielder Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge in London on March 18, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Olley reported that Arsenal see Havertz as capable of playing in the front three, as well as in the number 10 or number 8 roles, making him a versatile addition to the squad.

But interestingly, Liam Twomey reports for The Athletic that Havertz will be a replacement for Granit Xhaka, and he’ll play as a left 8 for Arsenal. We’ll have to wait and see how Arteta plans to use him.

The 24-year-old has most recently been on international duty, scoring once and winning a penalty in his three appearances.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news