Every transfer story has a bespoke way of coming to the fore, and while Arsenal’s pursuit of Declan Rice has long been one of football’s worst-kept secrets, their interest in Kai Havertz has taken many by surprise.
The Gunners, who led the Premier League for 248 days — a record for a club that did not eventually win the title — have had a first formal bid to sign Rice from West Ham rejected. Meanwhile, they are seeking to strengthen up front, where the only strikers currently at the club are Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
That is why Havertz is on their radar. The German wants to leave Stamford Bride this summer, and Chelsea are open to offers. However, there is competition for his signature, with Bayern Munich linked and Real Madrid needing a replacement for Karim Benzema.
Both players are highly sought-after, but Mikel Arteta would have gone a long way to replenishing and upgrading his squad if the club were to convince both players to cross the city to north London — and their employers to let them.
It would be a risk, and perhaps an unwise one, for Arteta to completely change the way Arsenal play. For that reason, were Havertz and Rice to sign this summer, they would likely slot in to the current 4-2-3-1 system that made Arsenal so threatening going forward throughout last season.
Midfield: Rice (CM), Partey (CM), Odegaard (CAM)
Granit Xhaka was so effective this term in a more advanced role for the Gunners, but he is set to leave the Emirates this summer, paving the way for Rice to replace him in the double pivot position alongside Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian enjoyed an excellent season but could sometimes be found out of position. Yet Arsenal would be more than able to patch up any chinks in his armour if they signed Rice, who just lifted a European trophy for West Ham and started the final of the European Championship in 2021.
With Rice and Partey producing the energy and industry in the middle of the park, Martin Odegaard further forwards could be allowed to express himself as Arsenal’s one true playmaker. A midfield base of Rice and Partey would allow Odegaard to focus primarily on the offensive side of his game.
Forwards: Martinelli (LW), Havertz (ST), Saka (RW)
There is no considerable evidence to suggest Havertz would score a glut more goals for Arsenal than Gabriel Jesus has done since leaving Manchester City for the Gunners.
Yet Havertz is a man of taller frame, a greater aerial threat, and a mobile striker who made more runs in-behind defences than any other Premier League striker this season. He could combine with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka to potentially devastating effect.
Havertz is by no means the most clinical forward. There are so few strikers of that calibre around; no wonder Harry Kane has a triple-figure valuation placed above his head. Havertz cannot promise that sort of regularity of goals, but he could be a focal-point up front for Arsenal — not to mention an intelligent footballer operating in a team full of intelligent footballers.
