Germany’s Nico Schlotterbeck has praised Arsenal’s Kai Havertz for a surprising reason, suggesting the forward is faster than you might think.
When you think of Kai Havertz’s best qualities, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is his physicality, or his ability to generate goalscoring opportunities for himself (even if he doesn’t always score them), or the threat he offers on crosses.
Maybe you’d even point to his penalty record, with 23 scored and just one friendly miss across all the penalties he’s taken, excluding shootouts.
But Germany’s Nico Schlotterback believes Havertz’s speed is underrated, and that it makes him even harder to defend against.
“Kai is fast. Very fast,” Schlotterbeck said. “People don’t really realize it, but he’s very fast. From a defender’s point of view when you’re defending against centre-forwards you think about how they can hurt you.
“My problem with Kai was that he’s fast, so he can run in behind, but he can also battle with you physically. He wins aerial duels and he can drop deep because he’s good at combining with teammates.
“He also has that No. 10 quality and can dictate the game. That’s why I always had problems defending Kai, because he’s simply an incredible player.”
Havertz has scored a few breakaway goals with Arsenal in recent seasons, so perhaps it shouldn’t be so surprising to hear that his fellow professionals think he’s fast.
Gianluigi Donnarumma certainly didn’t expect the forward to arrive so quickly as he dawdled on the ball in City’s match against Arsenal in April.
Unfortunately, Havertz didn’t get as many chances to show his skills in 2025/26 as he might have liked, having been out injured for the first half of the season. With any luck, he’ll be able to stay healthy throughout the ongoing World Cup and the 2026/27 campaign.
- Familiar concerns as Arsenal women draw with Manchester UnitedArsenal Women remain unbeaten, but another draw has revived concerns over the issue that hurt their title challenge last season.
- Arteta pulls no punches after Arsenal shambles at BrightonMikel Arteta gave a blunt verdict after Arsenal’s nine-match winning run ended at Brighton, pointing to the failings that decided the game.
- Brighton & Arsenal teams releasedArsenal face Brighton in matchweek five with the chance to make history by opening a season with eight consecutive wins for the first time.
- Arsenal pencil in injury return date for van DomselaarArsenal have given their clearest indication yet of when Daphne van Domselaar could return as Renee Slegers provides a fresh update on her recovery.
- Arteta confirms Arsenal Pro Ref meetingMikel Arteta confirms Arsenal met Pro Ref after the Sunderland penalty row, with the discussion focused on the decision rather than another apology.