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Can Kai Havertz find a place in Arsenal's starting lineup?

Can Kai Havertz find a place in Arsenal's starting lineup?DAZN

Kai Havertz arrived at Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in September 2020 and there was a lot of hype surrounding the young German star. 

However, it's safe to say three years into his time at Stamford Bridge, he has struggled to hit the heights which he did in the Bundesliga. 

Havertz did score the winning goal when Chelsea overcame Manchester City in the 2021 Champions League, but that is his only significant highlight reel moment since arriving in the Premier League. 

Now Havertz is set for a shot at redemption in the English top flight with a £65m move to Arsenal confirmed on Wednesday.

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For Havertz this is a chance to show why he is one of European football's most exciting attacking talents and being under the watchful eyes of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could be the perfect way to showcase his ability. 

Arsenal have a stellar attack with the likes Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, just to name a few of those which can cause problems for opposition defences. 

With such talents a mainstay in Arteta's starting eleven it maybe difficult to see how Havertz fits in, but that's where his versatility is a huge advantage.

Havertz can play either as a centre forward or number 10, meaning that he offers the much-needed squad depth the Gunners need now that the team is in next season's UEFA Champions League. It will also help keep Arsenal challenging for major honours domestically, with the lack of rotation being a potential cause of the team's drop off in last season's Premier League title race against Manchester City. 

Havertz is an attacking talent who can do a bit of everything from making piercing runs, shooting from distance and being a physical threat. At the age of 24, the German forward is yet to reach his peak and is a perfect fit for an Arsenal team made up of relatively young players who rely on pressing. 

It's not just in the attacking department where Havertz can be utilised, he is also known to drop deeper to midfield and while this was not evident so much during his time at Chelsea, it was often a position which he found himself in at Leveurkusen.

But with the likes of club captain Martin Odegaard being the main man in midfield, it will be a surprise if Havertz finds himself in this position. However, if Arsenal's pursuit of West Ham United's Declan Rice fails to come to fruition, then the midfield gap left by Granit Xhaka may be Havertz's best chance of becoming a permanent starter for Arsenal. 

After last season's battle with Manchester City for the 2022/23 Premier League title, it's clear that Arsenal are almost there when it comes to challenging for major trophies on a consistent basis and the acquisition of Havertz is a smart move from Arsenal. 

Not only does it take an exciting talent away from one of their London rivals, but also gives Arteta that added attacking threat which Arsenal needs in case any of their major players are hit by injuries during what will be another relentless campaign. 

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