The Japan Times - Arteta backs Kai Havertz to become a 30-goal Arsenal forward

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Kai Havertz can develop into a 30-goal-a-season forward as the Germany international prepares for a central role in attack.

Mikel Arteta insisted he is a ‘big believer’ that Kai Havertz can be Arsenal’s 30-goal-a-season man.

Havertz is set to lead the line for Arsenal in their clash at Nottingham Forest on Sunday as he continues to be preferred to the out-of-favour Viktor Gyokeres.

Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea in 2023, scoring 14 goals in his first season at the Emirates Stadium before netting 15 in the following campaign.

A hamstring injury saw him miss the concluding four months of that season before both hamstring and knee problems restricted him to just 24 appearances across all competitions last term, with a return of seven goals.

The 27-year-old has started all of Arsenal’s league games so far, scoring twice in the Premier League champions’ opening three games, but has not found the back of the net since – a barren streak of five matches.

However, speaking ahead of Sunday’s contest at the City Ground, Arteta insisted Havertz can hit as many as 30 goals a season.

‘He has that ability,’ stated Arteta. ‘That is why he is playing there as well, and that is why we signed him.

‘He needs that volume of games and actions, and if you give him that, I am a big believer that yes, he can do it.

‘His football IQ is something else. He understands everything at such speed, and he can break down information better probably than anyone else on the team.

‘That’s something that’s not easy to say especially when we talk about a striker. He was out for a long period of time last season and to get back at the highest level is not easy and it can take time.

‘But Kai has done it almost immediately from pre-season and I’m not surprised because his mentality is top. I value him a lot.’

Gyokeres was handed just his third start of the season in Arsenal’s Champions League match against Lille on Tuesday night.

The Sweden international was withdrawn midway through the second half having made little impact on the game.

Gyokeres scored 97 times across 102 appearances for former club Sporting Lisbon, but he is yet to find the back of net in his seven games this season.

‘That’s a very personal question,’ stated Arteta when asked if Gyokeres, who struck 21 times in his debut campaign for the Gunners, is low on confidence.

‘What he transmits to me is an incredible will and determination and work-rate to improve and help the team.

‘That’s Viktor every single day, regardless of his position, whether he scores a goal or not, and that’s why he’s always an option to play.

‘We are trying to help him as much as possible. He has some very good moments, but it’s very small margins, and scoring, or not scoring, changes the narrative.’

T.Maeda--JT