Kai Havertz return gives Arsenal new blueprint to beat low block during nervy title run-in
It took Kai Havertz a few seconds to show what Arsenal were missing.
From the first minute against Kairat on Wednesday, he made a smart run from behind, but Eberechi Eze’s cut pass over the top was simply too much.
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By the time another minute had passed, Havertz had Viktor Gyokeres through on goal to finish for the opener.
“We realized straight away how much we missed him,” Mikel Arteta said after the match. The Arsenal boss has backed his striker to ‘take the team to a different level’.
It was Havertz’s first start in 357 days, after spending much of 2025 on the sidelines with first a hamstring injury and then a knee issue, both of which required surgery.
Havertz showed Arsenal what they were missing by being named player of the match against Kairat (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Considering his limited playing time over the past 12 months, the 26-year-old looked remarkably sharp in the 3-2 win over Kairat.
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The German scored a goal with his assist in 15 minutes, cutting in with his left foot and beating goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov, who dived generously full length in front of the ball.
It was Havertz’s only shot in the match, clinically taking his only chance, in stark contrast to his teammates in attack.
Gyokeres scored the opening goal, but then wasted a succession of huge chances in the first half. It’s no exaggeration to say he could have, and probably should have, scored six before halftime.
Gabriel Jesus came on for the closing stages and missed two one-on-ones, bending one wide and diving the other straight at the goalkeeper.
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When the Brazilian finally found the back of the net, the offside flag was there to deny him.
Havertz only played 45 minutes, with his half-time withdrawal planned before the match to manage his workload, but it was enough to underline how significant his absence has been, not least for Gyokeres.
The couple seemed to have a promising relationship. Havertz assisted Gyokeres’ goal and the Swede, bunching up a defender wide, played a key role in creating the space for the German to finish.
Havertz scored a goal with an assist inside 15 minutes against Kairat (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Havertz could well have had two more assists. A cross to the near post was volleyed home by Gyokeres, who then, from another pass from Havertz, was only able to get the slightest touch and Gabriel Martinelli was there behind him to score.
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Gyokeres benefited from having someone of Havertz’s profile in that good number 8 role. The level of opposition meant Havertz could effectively play as a second striker, drifting into the box and playing in a much more direct manner than Martin Odegaard in that position.
Had Havertz been available all season, Gyokeres’ first campaign at Arsenal might have gone differently.
He could have been integrated more gently, making appearances off the bench against strained defenses to build his confidence, rather than having to start effectively every game with Havertz and Jesus injured.
Gyokeres can see Havertz as an example to follow. When he signed from Chelsea, Havertz struggled to find form and there were loud conversations about whether Arsenal had made a big mistake in signing him.
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Now in his third season at the club, Havertz is the man the Gunners are pinning their hopes on to form a struggling attack together.
Arteta also now has food for thought when it comes to Havertz’s position in the side, whether in midfield or up front.
“Yes, he can play in both,” Arteta said after the match.
“I think right, left, attacking midfielder or nine, it doesn’t change much for him. Depending on the position and the relationship we have around him and the players available as well, we make those decisions.”
Most of his minutes will likely come as a striker, but with this display in midfield, Havertz showed a possible blueprint for a more attacking setup against teams that Arsenal may struggle to break down during what could be a nervy showdown.
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The trip to Leeds this weekend may be too soon for Havertz in terms of a Premier League start, but those will come soon.
If he stays fit, there will be no debate over who Arsenal’s first-choice striker should be for the race.