Kai Havertz managed to do one thing for Arsenal this season that he could never achieve in his time on the books at Chelsea.

Having initially been doubted by many, Kai Havertz enjoyed a successful first campaign as an Arsenal player.

The Gunners shelled out £65 million to secure the German’s services from Chelsea in the most recent summer transfer window. 

However, this was a deal that was met with skepticism from many quarters. Havertz was even deemed the worst signing of the summer by a poll of agents.

Mikel Arteta’s initial plan for the 24-year-old didn’t work out either. Arteta originally wanted Havertz to feature in midfield for Arsenal. However, he arrived at the Emirates Stadium low on confidence and struggled to get to grips with the role. 

Everything changed for the player after the turn of the year when he was finally given an extended run in the Arsenal team as a striker. Havertz shone in this position, and has not looked back since.

Kai Havertz achieves high with Arsenal that he couldn’t reach with Chelsea

He was able to sign off the season in style with a late winner against Everton on Sunday. This took his goal tally for the campaign, across all competitions, to 13, whilst he was also able to chip in with 7 assists. 

This return of 20 goal contributions marked a career-best for Havertz, who has never racked up such numbers in a single season in English football before, as reported by Statman Dave.

The 44-cap Germany international is clearly now full of confidence and will be keen to kick on again next season at the Emirates Stadium. Havertz has silenced his critics and established himself as Arteta’s first choice striker. He will be desperate to show what he can do when given a full campaign in that preferred position.

How Arsenal must now give Kai Havertz more support

The Gunners must now build around Havertz this summer. There is an argument that Arteta’s squad is still lacking a striker.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Benjamin Sesko, who looks to be an ideal physical fit to replicate Havertz’s role in the side, meaning he ought to slot in seamlessly with the current tactical setup and ease the burden on the forward in a manner that the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah failed to do this season.

It will also be fascinating to see if Arteta ever returns to his plan of fielding Havertz as part of a midfield trio, too. With the player now full of confidence and comfortable in his surroundings, the manager may consider revisiting that idea.