After a lackluster start to his Arsenal career, Kai Havertz’s confidence is being boosted by Mikel Arteta. The German international cost £65 million ($80 million) to join the Gunners from Chelsea in June, but he has yet to score or even provide an assist for his new team. The last two Premier League games, against Everton and Tottenham, he was on the substitutes’ bench. Arsenal is attempting to assist the 24-year-old “as much as possible,” according to Arteta, whose team is now sixth in the Premier League after an undefeated start to the season.
On the eve of his team’s trip to struggling Bournemouth, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger urged his players to “be next to him, give him the tools, give him the confidence, and give him the minutes to exploit his talent.” “He is excelling in so many areas of his game, and we are aware of which ones still require work.
“But it’s about supporting the player, as it always is, especially when you see a player doing what he does every day and the way he tries, the way he puts himself into it. If they don’t perform despite your efforts to give them extra resources and support, it’s your fault. Havertz, who scored the game-winning goal for Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League final, required time to acclimate to the group, according to Arteta.
“We’re going to have to keep doing that,” he said, “because he’s played with these forward players three or four times already.”
We absolutely try to offer him as much encouragement and assurance as we can since that will undoubtedly benefit him. Prior to the game on Saturday, Arteta will have to deal with an injury.
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice of England were hurt in last week’s tie with Tottenham in the north London derby, and since then, both William Saliba and Fabio Vieira have experienced setbacks.
Forwards Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli missed the derby, and Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber have been injured for a while.
“Are they in adequate shape? The question is whether they have done enough to be chosen tomorrow, according to Arteta. We need them, so hopefully we hear positive news today.
