At a Glance:
- Kai Havertz has had a strange season at Arsenal.
- However, his versatility could be crucial to Germany’s World Cup chances.
- Why his playstyle is so important.
Kai Havertz has had an injury-ridden 2025/26 season for Arsenal, but arguably scored the most crucial goal of the Gunners’ season in their race to the Premier League title.
Havertz was able to net the only goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Burnley; with that win, and other results going their way, ensuring that Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal squad lifted their first Premier League title since the Spanish coach took over in 2019.
He is also an established threat on the international stage, having scored an impressive 22 goals in 58 games for the German national team, all while being deployed in a variety of positions.
One German legend, who enjoyed much success with Manchester City, has stated that Havertz could be a crucial element of his country’s efforts at the World Cup in the United States.
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Kai Havertz adds a ‘different’ player profile to the Germany attack, says Ilkay Gundogan
Speaking to BILD, when asked if Germany were a threat in this edition of the World Cup, Ilkay Gundogan said that the variety of attackers the nation has—which includes Kai Havertz—is crucial to the nation’s success.
“What makes me optimistic? The mix of experience and young, dynamic players. This unpredictability of the young players; I liked that lately, how we play. You have good, different player profiles at the front with [Kai] Havertz, [Deniz] Undav, [Nick] Woltemade. The national coach has a lot of options offensively, and the same in defense. The team is well staffed! It’s a mixture that can be very dangerous for any opponent,” said Gundogan.
Havertz has been a fixture in the German national team ever since his breakthrough season with Bayer Leverkusen in 2018, and while he has played consistently in midfield under a variety of coaches, including current coach Julian Nagelsmann, he has been playing his club football for Arsenal mostly up front.
What makes Havertz’s playstyle so special?
Given that Kai Havertz has even lined up as a left-back for Germany, it is clear that he possesses an intelligence that is applicable to multiple positions in the game.
As a teenager on the rise, he was deployed as an attacking midfielder and creative outlet at boyhood club Bayer Leverkusen, and was utilised in a similar role at Chelsea with less success.
However, at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has showcased how versatile Havertz can be, utilising the 26-year-old as a false nine who links up play as well as popping up in the half-spaces and on the wing, which is similar as to how Germany may utilise him in this World Cup.
