How Havertz has become Premier League's most complete striker

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be influential in Matchweek 8.

Player analysis - Kai Havertz (Arsenal)

While he was struggling to settle in at Arsenal early on in 2023/24, all we kept hearing from the media, and subsequently from supporters was, “What is Kai Havertz?”

There seemed to be confusion over where the German’s best position was and how his unique, possibly misunderstood skillset was going to fit into Mikel Arteta’s side.

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Was he a midfielder, a No 10 or a forward? At the time he could not be characterised as any of those types of players and scepticism dominated conversations around him.

A year on, as he returns to the scene of his first Arsenal goal, AFC Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium, all that uncertainty has evaporated.

Havertz is now, unequivocally, the most rounded centre-forward in the Premier League.

Prepared to fight for the ball

The shy, sometimes timid player who arrived from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 has been transformed into an industrious, aggressive striker who relishes taking on responsibility at the top end of the pitch.

Midfielders Flynn Downes and Bruno Guimaraes are the only Premier League players who have run further than Havertz this season, which is an impressive feat for a forward.

Havertz ranks very highly in a number of departments such as his off-the-ball runs, targeted runs, pressures and duels won.

In short, he is one of the hardest-working players in the Premier League.

Where Havertz ranks defensively 2024/25

Havertz did not score in Arsenal’s north London derby win at Tottenham Hotspur, but he delivered an outstanding off-the-ball performance that day.

He worked very hard to offer himself as an outlet and topped the Gunners’ rankings for intensive runs, off-the-ball runs, pressures and pressures resulting in a turnover.

Havertz's performance v Spurs

In the move that led to the corner from which Arsenal scored the winning goal, Havertz ran from deep inside his own half to chase a clearance, winning a race with the league's fastest player Micky van de Ven.

He then held the ball up for the supporting run of Gabriel Martinelli, and from there Arteta’s side built an attack that led to the corner.

This is the type of determination Havertz is exhibiting as a centre-forward.

With a sense of belonging to the group, he is showing a different, more combative side to his game.

An aerial powerhouse

Havertz has given the Gunners a new dimension with his prowess in the air both inside and outside the box.

He has scored twice from headers, first powering home emphatically from a Bukayo Saka cross at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Havertz's goal v Wolves

He followed that up with a brave header against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, beating goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to Leandro Trossard’s inswinging ball.

Havertz is now a real focal point for wide men to aim for and is second only to Erling Haaland for the most headed shots so far this season.

Arsenal also benefit from Havertz’s height in general play.

He always offers an out-ball, which now means Arsenal can pass the ball long to beat the opposition press.

Only two players in the league have won more aerial duels, which means Havertz's team-mates can collect a lot of the second balls.

Best PL players for aerial dominance 2024/25

Sharper shooting

Early on in his Arsenal career Havertz did not push himself into goalscoring positions with as much drive as supporters would have liked.

This has changed dramatically as his self-belief has grown.

Instead of holding back, Havertz is now extremely dynamic with his movement around the opposition's penalty box.

It has enabled him to get on the end of far more quality chances.

You will note that Havertz is careful with his shot selection, reserving most of his goal attempts for efforts from the centre of the box.

Whether he is sniffing around for close-range tap-ins, or looking to make runs across defenders at the last moment, his actions are fast becoming as good as any of the strikers who have been playing in that role for years.

Ollie Watkins is the only player to have amassed more big chances, while Haaland is the sole forward to have more shots from inside the box.

Havertz is certainly feeling more relaxed at Arsenal, having scored in seven consecutive home matches in all competitions.

Where Havertz's shooting stats rank 2024/25

Special bond with Saka

In Martin Odegaard’s absence with an ankle injury, it feels as if Havertz has struck up a closer rapport with Saka.

As Havertz's heat map for 2024/25 shows below, he loves to lean himself to Arsenal’s right side during the build-up phase.

The pair frequently combine in close quarters, and Saka has assisted three of Havertz’s four league goals this season.

Havertz ran on to forward passes from Saka to score with clever left-foot finishes against Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton.

When you consider Havertz also has guile to go with his industry, movement and aerial power, it is hard to think of a centre-forward who offers more to their team at the moment than he does for Arsenal.

In the here and now, Havertz is indispensable in Arteta’s best XI.

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