Mikel Arteta has promised that he will continue to support and offer confidence to the resurgent Kai Havertz even if the German makes mistakes.
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Several eyebrows were understandably raised when Arsenal stumped up £65 million ($82m) to sign an out-of-sorts Havertz from Chelsea. Mikel Arteta had identified the German as a key target in his bid to take Arsenal from title contenders to champions and, after a short bedding-in period, is reaping the rewards. Since the turn of the new year, Havertz has been sublime and started adding goals and assists to his game.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Key to the transformation of Havertz has been the rediscovery of his confidence following a rather disappointing spell in west London. Arteta sees Havertz as the man for the big occasions and he impressed in wins against Manchester City and Liverpool earlier this season. The Gunners travel to Manchester on Sunday and Havertz will be dreaming of once again scoring an important winner against City, just as he did in the 2021 Champions League final. Arteta believes he can do it again.
WHAT ARTETA SAID
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: “For me, the most important thing is that players feel like we trust them, that we protect them, that we love them.
“Also that they are allowed to make mistakes, and that our opinion is not going to change because of that, especially when you have someone like [Havertz], with the way he trains and tries every day.”
WHAT NEXT FOR HAVERTZ?
Havertz and his Arsenal team-mates have a tricky schedule as the season reaches its denouement. After City, the Gunners play eight games in April – including two against Bayern Munich – in a month that will define their season. Should Havertz continue to perform, the Gunners will have every chance of ending the season with a trophy.
