Mikel Arteta reveals position Kai Havertz is likely to play at Arsenal
- Havertz signed for Arsenal in a £65m deal earlier this summer
- The German scored his first goal for the club against MLS All-Stars
- The 24-year-old played as a striker for Chelsea during the 2022/23 season
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.”
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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.
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