Mikel Arteta reveals position Kai Havertz is likely to play at Arsenal
Views: 3692
2023-07-20 20:22
Mikel Arteta has hinted at utilising new Arsenal signing Kai Havertz as a 'target man' and as an attacking midfielder. The 24-year-old scored his first goal for the club in a 5-0 win over MLS All-Stars.

Mikel Arteta has hinted at utilising new signing Kai Havertz as a 'target man' and as an attacking midfielder.

The Gunners signed Havertz for £65m from Chelsea this summer, with the German one of three major signings the club have made during the transfer window - Jurrien Timber has arrived from Ajax for £34m and Declan Rice has rocked up in north London for a British-record fee of £105m inclusive of add-ons.

Havertz became the first player ever to fail to hit the target in MLS' skills challenge for volleys, but put that disappointment behind him less than 24 hours later as he marked his second appearance for the club with a late goal in Thursday's 5-0 win over MLS All-Stars.

With plenty of questions fired into Mikel Arteta about the 24-year-old post-match, the Spaniard gave a first indication of where he sees Havertz fitting into his plans once Arsenal start to play competitive matches.

“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," Arteta said.

"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.”

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP

Arsenal's manager also stated that he's been impressed by how the Gunners' new signings have bedded into the squad already, adding: "They are [bedding in quickly] and we have to find that fluidity within the game, and those relationships.

"That’s something that is difficult to predict as a coach what’s going to work, but sometimes whether it’s on the pitch or sitting at the table, and they find that chemistry between them.

"Especially, in the first half, the way we started, we were a bit suffocated with the weather, and we started to give too many simple balls away, and we could not really control the game. But it was true that we were exceptional in both boxes today; every time we were in the final third in good positions, we put the ball in the back of the net, and we have to defend moments in those transitions when we give the ball away. I think we defended really well, as well."

Arsenal's pre-season tour of the United States continues with games against Manchester United and Barcelona, before a friendly with Monaco at the Emirates Stadium proceeds the curtain-raising Community Shield, which this year pits the Gunners against Manchester City at Wembley.

LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST

On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth and Graeme Bailey to discuss Brighton rejecting Chelsea's bid for Moises Caicedo, Man City closing in on Josko Gvardiol, Harry Maguire's uncertain Man Utd future and more!

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

This article was originally published on 90min as Mikel Arteta reveals position Kai Havertz is likely to play at Arsenal.

Tags kai havertz arsenal news mikel arteta eppersons