Mikel Arteta has explained why Kai Havertz continues to hold such an important place in his Arsenal side ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.
Havertz has started all three of Arsenal’s Premier League matches this season despite competition from £63million striker Viktor Gyökeres.
The Germany international strengthened his position by scoring in last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea before playing a crucial role in Martin Ødegaard’s winner.
Arteta believes Havertz’s intelligence is what separates him.
Speaking before Sunderland, the Arsenal manager told BBC Sport: “Kai is extremely intelligent, that’s his biggest quality. He is five seconds ahead of the game and he just makes the people around him better.”
Havertz continues to lead Arsenal striker battle
Arteta also praised Havertz’s goals, chance creation and work rate after an impressive start to the campaign.
The comments arrive at an interesting time.
Gyökeres was given the opportunity to start Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Napoli but managed only nine touches and failed to record a shot before Havertz replaced him.
ReadArsenal has already looked at why Havertz currently has the advantage over Gyökeres in Arsenal’s striker hierarchy.
His performance against Chelsea underlined Arteta’s argument.
Havertz scored Arsenal’s equaliser before deliberately allowing Christos Tzolis’ pass to run through for Ødegaard to score the winner.
Our Arsenal player ratings against Chelsea gave Havertz 8.5/10 after he also created three chances.
Arteta faces Sunderland decision
The question now is whether Arteta immediately restores Havertz at the Stadium of Light.
ReadArsenal’s predicted Arsenal XI vs Sunderland has the German returning to lead the attack.
Gyökeres will continue to receive opportunities across a demanding Premier League and Champions League schedule.
For now, however, Arteta’s latest comments make clear why Havertz remains so difficult to displace.
Arsenal supporters can find the full Sunderland vs Arsenal TV channel, live stream and 8pm kick-off details ahead of Saturday night’s game.
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