{"id":1354814,"date":"2024-06-13T12:00:35","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T11:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1354814"},"modified":"2024-06-14T17:26:16","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T16:26:16","slug":"emmanuel-petit-arsenal-kai-havertz-enigma","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/emmanuel-petit-arsenal-kai-havertz-enigma\/","title":{"rendered":"Emmanuel Petit explains why Arsenal enigma Kai Havertz “should write a book”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emmanuel Petit has praised Arsenal forward Kai Havertz for his ability to go unnoticed before altering the course of a game.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The native of Aachen completed a \u00a360m from Chelsea but struggled to cement a regular starting berth until head coach Mikel Arteta transformed him into their ‘false nine’, which is familiar territory.<\/p>\n

During three years at Stamford Bridge, the versatile German international played under four different managers across several different positions (notably the false nine role), giving him a return of 32 goals and 15 assists in 139 appearances.<\/p>\n

[dugoutvideo id=”eyJrZXkiOiIiLCJwIjoic3F1YXdrYSIsInBsIjoiZjBEVXZyWkwifQ==” partner=”squawka”]<\/span><\/p>\n

Havertz’s most noteworthy moment undoubtedly came in the 2021 Champions League final when he scored the winning goal against Manchester City before doing the same in the forthcoming Club World Cup final, making him the first player to achieve this feat since Lionel Messi a decade earlier.<\/p>\n

Since crossing the London divide, he’s featured in all of Arsenal\u2019s opening 12 league matches, subsequently registering one goal. He would add three more goals in the Gunners\u2019 next five outings before enduring a seven-game scoreless run (while missing their 2-0 loss against West Ham through suspension).<\/p>\n

However, to say he finished the 2023\/24 season on a strong note would be an understatement; striking nine times — subsequently becoming the first German to score in four consecutive Premier League matches — while creating a further six goals. Furthermore, he was the first Arsenal player since Alexis Sanchez in 2016\/17 to score and assist in four matches in a single campaign.<\/p>\n

Seeing confidence running high in Havertz has undoubtedly put a smile on Julian Nagelsmann’s face and two metrics perfectly illustrate that. Between matchday one to 13, his shot conversion rate (inc. blocks) and conversion (ex. penalties) were 14.29 and 11.11%, respectively. From matchday 14 to season end, Havertz\u2019s shot conversion rate (inc. blocks) and conversion (ex. penalties) reads 20 and 26.47%, respectively.<\/p>\n

\n

Where do I start.. My first season has been one which has helped me grow as a person and a player in many ways. Very grateful for all the support this season, from fans, staff and my team mates. It\u2019ll take time to process everything but I know with this club we can achieve big\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/VLQbmhv55Y<\/a><\/p>\n

— Kai Havertz (@kaihavertz29) May 20, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n