Former Arsenal star names Mikel Arteta signing who has proven critics wrong

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)

Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has heaped praise on Mikel Arteta’s marquee attacking signing Kai Havertz for proving critics wrong at the club.

The Germany international made the unexpected move across London last summer when he joined the Gunners from Chelsea in a £65m deal.

The former Bayer Leverkusen man had not been a huge hit at Stamford Bridge and there was some scepticism over his move to the Emirates, not helped by a slow start to his career in red and white.

It took him a while to get going, but the 24-year-old did settle in, eventually having an impressive first season under Arteta, notching up 13 goals as he filled in up front rather than playing the midfield role he was expected to take up when signed.

Havertz got his second season at Arsenal up and running in style on opening day with a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win over Wolves and former Gunners midfielder Petit is impressed with how the German has salvaged his repuation.

‘One thing I can say about Kai Havertz, is he has never given up,’ the Frenchman told Gambling Zone.

‘When he arrived at Arsenal, he had criticism from former players, pundits, fans and the media. Mikel Arteta has given him the confidence to play well, even when he was not performing well he would be on the pitch.

Kai Havertz scored against Wolves in the first game of this season (Picture: Getty)

‘The pressure on Havertz’s shoulders has been taken away, the love and respect from his teammates have been very important for a player like him, he can be very sensitive.

‘At Chelsea, Havertz was clearly affected and he needed a positive environment. His teammates have the confidence to give him the ball throughout a game, at Chelsea, the team didn’t play fluidly so it stopped him getting on the ball.

‘I don’t think he’s been amazing for Arsenal, but he has certainly improved and is playing with confidence now, and that says a lot about Arteta.’

Arsenal will finally look to best Manchester City in the Premier League this season after two near-misses in previous campaigns and, despite praising Havertz’s impact, Petit still feels the Gunners could do with some more firepower in attack to help them get over the line.

‘Arsenal need a 20-goals-per-season striker, they currently have a few players who can score 10-15 goals per season, like how Man City used to be,’ he said.

‘Pep Guardiola changed the system because he knew he needed a striker who could score lots of goals. In Erling Haaland’s first season, he broke goal-scoring records and won the Champions League.

‘Mikel Arteta will follow the steps of Guardiola, the way their teams play and a striker would be a cherry on top of the cake.

Pressed on potential options Arsenal could target in the final days of the window, Petit said: ‘I think Nico Williams or someone like Ivan Toney could replicate Haaland’s output at Arsenal.

‘Toney has a great relationship with Bryan Mbeumo, understanding the timing and movements of your teammates is something important for Arsenal and I think he could be the man that spearheads them to the title – a late move could do them wonders.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.