Julian Nagelsmann: Havertz Has Developed At Arsenal

By The Editor
on 24th March 2024

Nagelsmann is a fan of the Arsenal man…

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann believes Kai Havertz has developed during his time at Arsenal and has revealed that he will play the 24-year-old as a central striker.

Nagelsmann bizarrely attempted to trial Havertz as a left-back during the last international break, but four months is a long time in football and the former Chelsea man is now in a rich vein of form.

Havertz has become Arsenal’s No.1 striker in recent weeks due to the ongoing injury problems suffered by Gabriel Jesus, culminating in a run of scoring in four consecutive Premier League games.

Germany have traditionally struggled to fill the central striker role left by Miroslav Klose and while they flirted with many options, Havertz would be the most reliable to lead them to their European Championships next summer.

Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday’s win against France, the former Bayern Munich boss said: “(Havertz) has developed very well, he has a lot of recognition from the coach and the club.

“I think very highly of him as a player and as a person. He will start against France upfront, which he did six times for Arsenal. He has good deep runs and very good pace.”

While Mikel Arteta has maintained his belief that Havertz can play in midfield, it’s no surprise that his best form has come while leading the line.

It’s the position that saw him produce his best at Chelsea and in the modern game, it suits his physical qualities the best.

As a Gooner, I don’t see how Jesus gets his place back from the former Leverkusen man – that’s a sentence I didn’t imagine saying at the beginning of the season.