Unfortunately for Arsenal, they will be without Kai Havertz for the remainder of the season owing to his hamstring injury.
The Gunners’ gamble to not buy a striker quickly backfired after January when Havertz joined Gabriel Jesus in the treatment room – two number nines Mikel Arteta couldn’t afford to lose.
Of course, Mikel Merino has stepped up for Arsenal, he’s been thriving in a makeshift striker role, demonstrating how effective he’s proving at times with his goal against Real Madrid.
However, if Arsenal are to progress to the semi-finals after their second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, they’d still love to have Havertz available.
But by all accounts, Havertz’s season is over, even if Arsenal were able to make it all the way to May’s final at the Allianz Arena.
Kai Havertz reveals what Mikel Arteta does ‘different’ at Arsenal
That being said, Havertz recently reflected on his progress at Arsenal under Arteta whilst speaking in an interview with the club’s website.
And when praising his manager, Havertz admitted that Arteta had shown him a ‘different side of football’, exposing him to details he had ‘never’ even thought about under different coaches.
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Speaking about Arteta’s influence, Havertz said: “He’s shown me a different side of football that I didn’t know before. So, football-wise, he’s probably the most influential coach I’ve had.
“Then one of the managers I had in Germany, Peter Bosz at Leverkusen, also played a big part in my career. Because I was very young, 18 or 19 when he came, but he always counted on me and let me play. He was really good for me as well.
“But for Mikel, it’s just everything about him – tactics-wise, the details… I’d never thought about the things he’s told us over the past one and a half years. I’d never thought about that before.
“But it’s everything, not just tactics, but the mental things as well. Everything is linked together. That’s what he does.”
Will Arsenal have a problem with Havertz?
By all accounts, Arsenal want to buy a striker this summer, but some may wonder where that’ll leave Havertz once he’s back fully fit.
Perhaps Havertz will drop into a deeper number eight role but that is one that is now being occupied by Declan Rice so superbly.
It’s undoubtedly a positive problem for Arteta to have, but Havertz might not feel so glowingly positive about life at Arsenal in a year’s time if he’s often just used as a substitute.
Arsenal want Alexander Isak from Newcastle United first and foremost, another striker who is never going to be happy sitting on the bench.
So whilst the Gunners are right to be searching for a new striker this summer, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be plane sailing for Arteta next season.
