Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given some interesting insights into how the club’s new signing, Kai Havertz, might be utilised.

Having already demonstrated his versatility, Havertz might fill various roles in the squad during the forthcoming campaign.

Arsenal's Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring a goal during a friendly football match between the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star team and Arsenal FC, at Audi Field in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2023. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring a goal during a friendly football match between the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star team and Arsenal FC, at Audi Field in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2023. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
  • Kai Havertz may operate in various positions for Arsenal following his £65m move from Chelsea, suggests Mikel Arteta.
  • Havertz scores his first goal for Arsenal in the 5-0 triumph over MLS All-Stars, exhibiting his potential in central midfield.
  • Arsenal’s new signings, including Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber, make an impressive debut at the MLS All-Stars match.

Arteta unveils Havertz’s potential roles at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, has suggested that the club’s recent signing, Kai Havertz, could fulfil various positions during the forthcoming season.

The German international, a £65m acquisition from Chelsea, has demonstrated versatility in his early appearances for the Gunners.

Operating on the left of midfield – a void left by Granit Xhaka – Havertz echoed his academy days at Bayer Leverkusen, where he was utilised in similar roles.

Havertz’s scoring debut in Arsenal’s victory

Arsenal's Kai Havertz (R) scores a goal during a friendly football match between the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star team and Arsenal FC, at Audi Field in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2023. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz (R) scores a goal during a friendly football match between the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star team and Arsenal FC, at Audi Field in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2023. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Making his mark, Havertz scored his inaugural Arsenal goal during the resounding 5-0 victory over the MLS All-Stars. He accomplished this feat from central midfield, entering the fray as a substitute.

Arteta’s squad seems well-positioned with Havertz, especially considering the ongoing contest between Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah for the No.9 spot.

Arteta, highlighting Havertz’s qualities, stated, “He gives us something very different with his quality and size as well, when you have to beat the press for example and use him as a target man.

“So, we will see – for now, he’s playing in the attacking midfield position, but I’m sure throughout the season and throughout games as well, we’re going to have the options to play him in different positions.”

New signings show promise in the wake of Arsenal’s victory

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 19: Kai Havertz #29 and Declan Rice #41 of Arsenal FC warm up prior to the MLS All-Star Game between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 19: Kai Havertz #29 and Declan Rice #41 of Arsenal FC warm up prior to the MLS All-Star Game between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Apart from Havertz, Declan Rice, Arsenal’s record-breaking £105m acquisition from West Ham, also made his debut in Washington DC.

However, it was Jurrien Timber, the £40m full-back from Ajax, that had fans buzzing.

Despite entering as a substitute midway through the second half, Timber managed 29 touches of the ball, won all his ground duels, and boasted a 95 per cent pass accuracy.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 18: Jurriën Timber #12 and Folarin Balogun #26 of Arsenal FC speak during the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 18: Jurriën Timber #12 and Folarin Balogun #26 of Arsenal FC speak during the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

With Havertz’s tactical flexibility and the promise shown by other new signings, the upcoming season for Arsenal could be an intriguing journey.

“The idea is to be more unpredictable every year and be more difficult for the opponents to stop and nullify what we want to do,” Arteta added. “That’s what we have now, especially at the back and in the midfield the options we have, to open up the spaces, we have many more options than we had last year.”