Kai Havertz’s career has been full of twists and turns, marked by periods of brilliance but also moments where he struggled to meet expectations.
After a much-anticipated move from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea in 2020, Havertz initially found it difficult to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.
Despite scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, his inconsistency raised questions about his long-term future in London.
Last summer, the German made a bold switch to Arsenal, seeking a fresh start under Mikel Arteta. This move has breathed new life into Havertz’s career, allowing him to reinvent himself as a vital cog in Arsenal’s push for Premier League glory.
For the Gunners, Havertz has adapted to a new role, stepping up when Gabriel Jesus was sidelined due to injury.
As a false nine, Havertz has excelled, scoring important goals and demonstrating his technical ability and intelligence in linking up with teammates.
His knack for finding the back of the net in crucial moments has kept him in Arteta’s starting lineup, and his performances have solidified his reputation as a key player in Arsenal’s title challenge.
Arteta’s side have done everything they can to challenge for the Premier League title, and while the Arsenal vs Liverpool odds have their clash at the Emirates down as a close encounter, a win on home soil could be exactly what Arsenal need to become the favourites.
With Havertz playing such a prominent role in North London, his stock has risen, earning him a place in the German national team setup as their lead striker.
However, Havertz’s international career has taken a slight detour due to injury. After leading the line for Germany during Euro 2024—where he scored two goals and provided one assist—Havertz had to withdraw from Germany’s most recent squad due to fitness concerns.
While he was Die Mannschaft’s starting striker at the Euros, the competition for places under Julian Nagelsmann is fierce, and his absence has allowed others to make their case for a starting role.
Germany’s forward line is currently a hotly contested area, with several players looking to secure their spot ahead of future tournaments.
Deniz Undav, a player who thrives in a number 10 role, impressed during the international break, scoring twice and showcasing his versatility. Meanwhile, Tim Kleindienst, who has enjoyed a strong start to the Bundesliga season with three goals in six games, led the line and made a compelling argument for more playing time.
Additionally, Timo Werner and Serge Gnabry, both dropped from the Euro 2024 squad, are looking to make a return to the national team, with Werner a consistent goal threat when making a football bet for the national team – boasting an impressive strike record of 24 goals in 57 games.
For Havertz to retain his spot in the Germany lineup, he will need to continue performing at a high level for Arsenal. His versatility and ability to play multiple roles in attack could work in his favour, but ultimately, goals will be the deciding factor.
If the 25-year-old can maintain his scoring form and help Arsenal challenge for the Premier League title, it will strengthen his case for remaining Nagelsmann’s preferred striker. Adding more trophies to his collection certainly wouldn’t hurt his case either.
