Kai Havertz Player Profile

Welcome to the Kai Havertz Player Profile, where we break down his journey at Arsenal, key stats, tactical role, strengths, and how he fits into Mikel Arteta’s system. From his versatility in attack to his aerial dominance, discover how Havertz is shaping Arsenal’s midfield and forward line.

Profile Summary: Kai Havertz

Full Name: Kai Lukas Havertz
Date of Birth: June 11, 1999
Place of Birth: Aachen, Germany
Nationality: German
Position: Forward / Attacking Midfielder
Preferred Foot: Left
Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)
Current Club: Arsenal FC
Squad Number: 29
Joined Arsenal: July 2023 (from Chelsea FC)
Previous Clubs: Bayer Leverkusen (2016-2020), Chelsea FC (2020-2023)
Market Value: €75.00m
International Team: Germany
Senior International Caps/Goals: 55/20

Playing Style: Havertz is a highly versatile player known for his intelligent movement, technical ability, and aerial presence. Under Mikel Arteta, he has been deployed as a false nine, advanced midfielder, and second striker, offering Arsenal tactical flexibility in attack. His ability to press effectively, link up play, and make late runs into the box makes him a key figure in the Gunners’ system.

Kai Havertz: From Youth Prodigy to Premier League Star

Early Years: The Making of a Footballing Talent

Kai Havertz’s football journey began at Alemannia Mariadorf, his hometown club, where his grandfather served as chairman. His exceptional technical ability and football intelligence quickly set him apart, leading to a move to Alemannia Aachen at the age of 10.

Bayer Leverkusen: Rising to Stardom in the Bundesliga

In 2010, Havertz joined Bayer Leverkusen’s youth academy, where he rapidly progressed through the ranks. At just 17 years old, he made his Bundesliga debut in October 2016, becoming the club’s youngest-ever debutant. Over four seasons, Havertz cemented himself as one of Germany’s brightest talents, showcasing his vision, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability from midfield.

His standout 2018/19 season saw him score 17 league goals, making him the highest-scoring teenager in Bundesliga history at the time. By the 2019/20 campaign, he had become Leverkusen’s leader in attack, often playing as a false nine and registering 12 goals and 6 assists. His performances attracted interest from Europe’s elite clubs.

Chelsea FC: European Glory & Premier League Experience

In the summer of 2020, Chelsea signed Havertz for £72 million, making him one of the most expensive German players ever. His first season at Stamford Bridge ended in unforgettable fashion, as he scored the winning goal in the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester City, securing Chelsea’s second European crown.

Over three seasons, Havertz showcased his versatility, operating as an attacking midfielder, winger, and false nine. He scored crucial goals, including winners in the FIFA Club World Cup Final and UEFA Super Cup, but Chelsea’s managerial changes and inconsistent tactics made it difficult for him to thrive in a fixed role.

Despite flashes of brilliance, Havertz’s time at Chelsea was marked by inconsistency in front of goal and positional uncertainty. By 2023, Arsenal saw an opportunity to unlock his full potential, securing his signing in a £65 million deal as part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term project.

Kai Havertz’s Role at Arsenal: The Tactical No.9

Since joining Arsenal in the summer of 2023, Kai Havertz has firmly established himself as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice striker, transitioning away from his previous roles as an attacking midfielder or false nine. While some initially expected him to play in midfield, Havertz has excelled as a central forward, offering a unique blend of link-up play, aerial presence, and pressing intensity.

1. The Hybrid Striker: A Different No.9

Unlike traditional strikers who rely solely on pace or clinical finishing, Havertz operates as a hybrid forward, combining elements of a target man, false nine, and pressing forward:

Hold-Up Play & Link-Up: Uses his 6ft 4in frame to shield the ball and bring teammates into play, allowing Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Ødegaard to thrive.
Late Runs into the Box: Times his movement brilliantly, arriving at the right moments to score crucial goals.
Aerial Dominance: One of Arsenal’s best target in the air, scoring key headers and providing an outlet against deep defensive blocks.
Pressing & Defensive Work Rate: Leads Arsenal’s high press, forcing opposition defenders into mistakes and winning back possession high up the pitch.

2. A System That Suits Havertz’s Strengths

Arteta has tailored Arsenal’s attack to make the most of Havertz’s unique qualities, particularly in games where the Gunners face compact low blocks:

In possession, Havertz drops deep to link play, creating overloads in midfield.
Out of possession, he presses aggressively, forcing turnovers in dangerous areas.
Arsenal’s full-backs invert into midfield, allowing Havertz to make vertical runs behind the defence.

3. The Gabriel Jesus-Havertz Dynamic

While Gabriel Jesus remains an option, Havertz provides a more physical and clinical alternative.
Jesus often plays off Havertz in a supporting role, allowing the German to stay central and attack the box.
This flexibility means Arsenal can adjust their attacking structure based on opposition tactics.

Why Havertz is Crucial to Arsenal’s Attack

✅ Physical Presence: Arsenal’s only aerially dominant striker, crucial in tight games.
✅ Big-Game Mentality: Has scored in Champions League & Club World Cup Finals—a proven match-winner.
✅ Pressing Machine: Leads Arsenal’s defensive structure from the front.
✅ Versatile Forward Play: Can function as a target man, false nine, or deep-lying forward depending on the tactical need.

The Verdict: The Long-Term Striker Arsenal Needed?

While many questioned his £65m signing, Havertz has cemented himself as Arsenal’s go-to No.9, proving to be an intelligent, and technically gifted striker, despite being inconsistent at times you can rely on Havertz to bag 20 G/A a season. As he continues to develop under Mikel Arteta, he has the potential to become one of the Premier League’s most effective forwards.

Havertz Stats

Season	Club	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
2016–17	Bayer Leverkusen	28	4	5	—
2017–18	Bayer Leverkusen	35	4	9	—
2018–19	Bayer Leverkusen	42	20	6	—
2019–20	Bayer Leverkusen	45	18	9	—
2020–21	Chelsea	45	9	9	UEFA Champions League
2021–22	Chelsea	47	14	6	FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup
2022–23	Chelsea	47	9	2	—
2023–24	Arsenal	51	14	8	FA Community Shield
2024–25*	Arsenal	34	15	5	—
Total	—	374	107	59	—

Note: The 2024–25 season is ongoing, and statistics are current as of March 6, 2025.

Kai Havertz: Strengths & Playing Style

Since transitioning into Arsenal’s first-choice striker, Kai Havertz has established himself as a unique forward in Mikel Arteta’s system. His versatility, tactical intelligence, and aerial dominance make him an invaluable asset in Arsenal’s attacking play. Below is an in-depth look at his strengths and playing style.

🔹 Strengths

1. Aerial Dominance & Physical Presence

✅ 6ft 4in frame makes him Arsenal’s primary target in aerial duels.
✅ Strong at winning headers in open play and set-pieces.
✅ Provides a crucial outlet for long balls and crosses when Arsenal face deep blocks.

2. Intelligent Movement & Off-the-Ball Runs

✅ Exceptional at timing late runs into the box, often arriving unmarked to finish chances.
✅ Drifts into dangerous spaces between defenders, making him difficult to mark.
✅ Offers vertical runs behind the defence, stretching opposition backlines.

3. Link-Up Play & One-Touch Passing

✅ Holds up play effectively, allowing Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli to thrive.
✅ Quick one-twos and layoffs help Arsenal break down compact defences.
✅ Works well in tight spaces, fitting Arsenal’s intricate attacking patterns.

4. Pressing & Defensive Work Rate

✅ Leads Arsenal’s high-intensity press, forcing turnovers in the final third.
✅ Tracks back and helps the midfield regain possession quickly.
✅ Physically robust, capable of battling defenders and disrupting build-up play.

5. Big-Game Mentality

✅ Proven ability to deliver in high-pressure moments (e.g., 2021 Champions League Final goal for Chelsea).
✅ Scores crucial goals, including late winners and equalizers.
✅ A composed finisher when given opportunities inside the box.

🎯 Playing Style at Arsenal

🔴 A Hybrid Striker: Unlike a traditional No.9, Havertz blends target-man hold-up play, pressing forward intensity, and false nine creativity.

🔴 Key Role in Arsenal’s Attacking Structure:

Drops deep to link play when necessary.
Makes intelligent runs beyond the last defender when Gabriel Jesus plays alongside him.
Switches positions fluidly, maintaining Arsenal’s attacking flexibility.

🔴 Preferred Areas on the Pitch:

Central striker role, leading Arsenal’s line.
Inside-left channel, where he can combine with Martinelli or Ødegaard.
Set-piece situations, where his aerial prowess is a major threat.

🔻 Areas for Improvement

❌ Finishing Consistency – Can still improve his conversion rate in one-on-one situations.
❌ Acceleration & Pace – While his movement is excellent, he lacks explosive speed to beat defenders outright.
❌ Physical Duels – Can struggle in shoulder-to-shoulder battles against aggressive centre-backs.

🔴 The Verdict: A Perfect Fit for Arsenal’s System?

Despite early doubts about his role at Arsenal, Havertz has flourished as a striker, proving himself as a big-game player with immense tactical intelligence. His versatility, work rate, and aerial ability make him a long-term asset for Arteta’s evolving Arsenal side. With further refinement in his finishing, he could develop into one of the Premier League’s most complete forwards. 🚀

Notable Performances of Kai Havertz at Arsenal

Since joining Arsenal in June 2023, Kai Havertz has delivered several standout performances that have significantly contributed to the team’s success. Here are some of his most memorable displays:

1. UEFA Champions League – Arsenal vs. Paris Saint-Germain (October 1, 2024)
In a commanding 2-0 victory over PSG, Havertz opened the scoring with a powerful header, showcasing his aerial prowess. This goal marked his fifth of the season and underscored his growing influence in European competitions.

2. Premier League – Arsenal vs. Brentford (November 25, 2023)
Havertz demonstrated his knack for decisive contributions by scoring a late header in the 89th minute, securing a 1-0 win against Brentford. His timely intervention ensured Arsenal maintained momentum during a congested fixture period.

3. Premier League – Arsenal vs. Sheffield United (October 28, 2023)
Strong overall performance: Havertz played an important role in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Sheffield United, showcasing his link-up play and pressing ability. While he didn’t register a goal or assist, his movement and positioning helped create space for Arsenal’s attacking dominance.

4. Premier League – Arsenal vs. Manchester United (September 3, 2023)
In a thrilling 3-1 victory against Manchester United, Havertz’s relentless pressing and intelligent positioning disrupted the opposition’s defence, leading to crucial goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

5. Premier League – Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (September 24, 2023)
In the North London Derby, Havertz showcased his versatility by assisting the opening goal and consistently threatening the Spurs‘ defence, contributing to a 2-2 draw.

These performances highlight Havertz’s adaptability and his growing importance in Arsenal’s attacking strategies.

Kai Havertz’s Best Position at Arsenal

Since transitioning into a full-time striker for Arsenal in the 2023/24 season, Kai Havertz has proven himself as a genuine goal threat, registering 15 goals and 5 assists across 34 appearances in all competitions this season before his unfortunate injury. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, his form remains heavily dependent on confidence and the creativity around him.

🔹 The Ideal Role: A Tactical No.9

Mikel Arteta has utilized Havertz primarily as a centre-forward, a role that maximizes his unique blend of aerial ability, movement, and pressing intensity. While not a traditional striker, Havertz has grown into the role, offering:
✅ Strong hold-up play – Excellent at linking midfield to attack.
✅ Aerial dominance – Arsenal’s best header of the ball, crucial in set-pieces.
✅ Late runs into the box – Arrives in the right areas to finish chances.
✅ High pressing intensity – Leads the team’s defensive structure from the front.

However, his effectiveness as a striker is heavily reliant on the presence of creative players like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka. Without strong service, he can struggle to impose himself in attack, especially against deep defensive blocks.

🔻 Struggles When Confidence Drops

While Havertz has demonstrated the potential to be a 20+ goal-a-season striker, he remains vulnerable to dips in confidence, which can significantly impact his performances.
❌ Can go missing when the team lacks creativity – Struggles when Arsenal are without key playmakers.
❌ Inconsistent finishing – Capable of clinical goals but sometimes lacks conviction in front of goal.
❌ Hesitation in attacking duels – Needs to be more aggressive in 1v1 situations inside the box.

His injury late in the season was particularly frustrating, as he could have stepped up during Arsenal’s injury crisis and easily finished the season with 30+ goal contributions. With his form picking up.

🔹 The Verdict: Can He Be Arsenal’s Long-Term No.9?

Yes, but only if he adds consistency and confidence to his game. Havertz has shown he can be a top-class striker, but he needs:
✔️ More clinical finishing – To become a reliable goal-scorer.
✔️ Greater mental resilience – To maintain form even when the team struggles creatively.
✔️ Better attacking aggression – To dominate defenders and impose himself more in tight games.

If he can refine these aspects, there is no doubt that Havertz can become one of the Premier League’s best hybrid forwards. With another full season leading the line, he has the potential to be Arsenal’s go-to striker for years to come.

Kai Havertz Merchandise for Fans

Looking to celebrate Kai Havertz’s impact at Arsenal? Here are some must-have Havertz-themed collectibles and memorabilia for every Gunners supporter!

🔴 1. HWC Trading Kai Havertz Arsenal Printed Memorabilia

A4 signed autograph photo display
Perfect for Arsenal fans, featuring a high-quality print of Havertz in action.

⚪ 2. Icons Wall Art Kai Havertz Signed Arsenal Photo Display

A4 printed picture with a digitally reproduced signature
Great gift for football fans and collectors.

🔴 3. SoccerStarz – Arsenal Kai Havertz (Home Kit)

Mini collectible figure in Arsenal’s classic home kit
Ideal for display or as part of a SoccerStarz collection.

Show your support for Havertz and Arsenal with these exclusive items! 🔥⚽🔴

What’s Next for Kai Havertz at Arsenal?

Kai Havertz’s first full season as Arsenal’s striker has showcased both promise and inconsistency. With 15 goals and 5 assists in 34 appearances, he has proven his ability to lead the line effectively, but his injury late in the season halted what could have been a 30+ goal contribution campaign. Now, the focus shifts to his long-term role at the club and how he can elevate his game further.

🔹 1. Can He Cement Himself as Arsenal’s First-Choice Striker?

Havertz has flourished as a No.9, offering a unique mix of aerial dominance, pressing intensity, and link-up play. However, his form can fluctuate with confidence, and Arsenal will need to decide if he remains their long-term centre-forward or if another striker is brought in for competition.
✅ With a fully fit squad, he thrives on service from Ødegaard, Saka, and Martinelli.
✅ His presence gives Arsenal a different attacking dimension against deep blocks.
❌ If confidence dips, he struggles to impose himself and can go missing in games.

If he can increase his goal-scoring consistency, Havertz has the potential to be Arsenal’s go-to striker for the future.

🔹 2. Will Arsenal Strengthen in the Summer Transfer Window?

With Arsenal pushing for major trophies, speculation will always surround a marquee striker signing.

If Arsenal sign an elite striker, Havertz could rotate between forward and midfield roles.
If Arsenal stick with him as their main No.9, he must step up in big moments more consistently.

Either way, competition for places will push him to improve, which could be exactly what he needs.

🔹 3. The Next Step: Becoming a Big-Game Player

Havertz has proven his ability in crucial moments before—scoring in the Champions League Final and Club World Cup Final with Chelsea.

He now needs to translate that clutch mentality into Arsenal’s biggest games, especially in title-deciding fixtures and the Champions League knockout rounds.
If he can deliver in Arsenal’s high-pressure matches, he will solidify himself as an indispensable part of Arteta’s project.

🔹 4. The Key to Unlocking His Full Potential: Confidence & Killer Instinct

Havertz has the ability to be a 25+ G/A-a-season striker, but he must:
✔️ Trust his instincts and be more clinical in front of goal.
✔️ Continue developing his aggression in attacking duels.
✔️ Thrive even when the team is struggling creatively.

With another full season as Arsenal’s No.9, he has the opportunity to evolve into one of the Premier League’s most effective forwards. If he adds consistency and belief to his game, the sky is the limit. 🚀

Kai Havertz Player Profile: Arsenal’s Versatile Attacking Threat