As long as Bukayo Saka maintains his current level of consistency, he will continue to be Arsenal's star player. The homegrown winger contributed his sixth and seventh league assists of the season as the Gunners overcame a deficit to defeat relegation-threatened Southampton on Saturday afternoon. Additionally, Saka scored his second league goal of the campaign during the match. Saka's performance this season places him among the top 10 players in the English Premier League for shots (25), key passes (27), and dribbles (14), showcasing the breadth of his attacking contributions. As Arsenal strives for their first Premier League title in over two decades, Saka is undoubtedly the key player. However, it would be inaccurate to label Arsenal as a one-man team. While the 23-year-old is undoubtedly Mikel Arteta's prized asset, he is supported by other equally brilliant players.
One such player is Kai Havertz, who joined Arsenal last summer with an air of mystery. Primarily used as a striker during his time at Chelsea, Havertz was adamant that this was not his optimal position. Arteta shared this view when Havertz moved to Arsenal, deploying the 25-year-old in midfield as a replacement for Granit Xhaka, who left for Bayer Leverkusen last year. Although their playing styles differ, Havertz's intelligent and hardworking nature off the ball could provide the attacking support that Xhaka offered. Initially, the decision to use Havertz in midfield did not yield the desired results. The former Bayer Leverkusen player appeared lost, and given the £65m spent to acquire him from Chelsea, Arteta could not afford to sideline the high-value signing.
Arteta then did what he should have done from the start – he played Havertz up front. With Gabriel Jesus sidelined due to injury, Havertz took on the leading role and performed exceptionally well. Suddenly, he seemed perfectly suited to his position. His playing style benefited Saka on the right and Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard on the left. Havertz's willingness to drop deeper to seek possession allowed the wide players to maximize the space created as he drew markers out of position. After years of struggling to find a defined role in a team, Havertz finally found his place in north London. Importantly, his form in the second half of the season was not a fleeting success. Instead, Havertz has elevated his game to become one of Arsenal's most crucial players in their pursuit of both domestic and continental glory.
Havertz scored in his fourth consecutive game during Arsenal's 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday, bringing his Premier League goal tally for the season to four. At his current scoring rate, he should comfortably surpass his 13-goal haul from the 2023-24 season, barring injuries or suspensions. However, Havertz's success should not be solely measured by his goal output. While forwards are typically judged by their goal-scoring ability, Havertz's role is to create space for the wingers when they cut inside. He also provides the physical presence on the frontline that has been vital for Arsenal this season. Indeed, only Dominic Calvert-Lewin (35) and Virgil van Dijk (30) have won more aerial duels than Havertz (28) in the Premier League.
Arsenal, unlike Manchester City and Tottenham, does not necessarily aim to dominate games, as evidenced by their possession average of 49.2%, which ranks ninth in the Premier League this season. Therefore, they require a striker of Havertz's caliber to trouble defenses when they go direct. Committing an average of 1.7 fouls per 90 minutes, Havertz is not afraid to disrupt the rhythm of Arsenal's opponents by ruffling the feathers of markers. With 14 clearances to his name – more than any other Premier League striker this season – Havertz is just as important to Arteta's side in the defensive third as he is in the attacking phase. Arsenal fans are justifiably full of praise for their frontman.
From an external perspective, Saka may appear to be the standout performer on Arsenal's frontline, but his performances should not overshadow Havertz's impact. The reason Saka is given the platform to excel is largely due to Havertz's influence. If Arsenal manages to secure the top spot ahead of title rivals Liverpool and City, Havertz will have played a pivotal role under Arteta. While he may not be in the MVP category, he is certainly not far off.
