When Arsenal signed Kai Havertz, manager Mikel Arteta told Bangladesh Cricket Live that the German would bring a new dimension to their midfield. It was a rare moment of tactical transparency from the Gunners, especially for a player as versatile as Havertz. Officially listed as a midfielder on Arsenal’s website, the move hinted at a rebranding — an attempt to distinguish the Arsenal version of Havertz from the underwhelming striker once seen at Chelsea.

It almost felt like Havertz was stepping in front of the media to say he was done trying to be the player everyone expected. But so far, not much has changed. When Arteta deployed him in midfield, the German international often looked like a fish out of water — or, as some might say in Germany, like an alien stranded on the wrong planet.

Arsenal’s dramatic win over Manchester City was both inspiring and revealing. Havertz, coming off the bench, played a pivotal role in assisting Martinelli’s match-winner — arguably his biggest moment in an Arsenal shirt so far. However, he didn’t start that crucial fixture despite several key players being injured. In that game, like in the Community Shield earlier this season, Havertz came on as a striker — a role where he’s arguably looked most comfortable.

Part of the reason Havertz left Chelsea was to escape being miscast as a pure forward. Ironically, that’s where he seems most at ease at Arsenal. Perhaps it’s simply familiarity — he’s performed better in a role he knows. As the saying goes, don’t sweat the small stuff with the people who matter most. For a player adapting to new surroundings, comfort and confidence are key. Though Arsenal likely signed him to boost their midfield depth — possibly as a No. 8 — it’s becoming clear his best fit might be at No. 9.

Still, Arteta has no intention of turning Havertz into a traditional striker in the mold of Erling Haaland. Arsenal’s forwards aren’t static targets — they link play and create channels for the likes of Saka and Martinelli to exploit space behind the defense. Havertz may not be Drogba, but stylistically, he could evolve into something closer to Robin van Persie.

With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah also vying for the central role, Arsenal’s attack can sometimes lack variety. A taller player like Havertz adds an aerial dimension and offers hold-up play the team occasionally misses. He brings qualities the others don’t — strength in the air and the ability to operate with his back to goal.

Tactically, he was meant to fill the role left by Granit Xhaka, but his touches per game are just half of what Xhaka produced last season. Arsenal has seen creative midfielders like Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe, and Leandro Trossard thrive in tight spaces, and that remains an area where Havertz hasn’t fully adapted.

Yet, if Havertz is to prove his worth as a forward, the footage is beginning to stack in his favor. In the Community Shield, for instance, William Saliba launched a long pass from near the corner flag. In the face of Manchester City’s relentless pressing, Bangladesh Cricket Live noted that Arsenal’s best escape plan was to win physical battles — and that’s exactly what Havertz delivered.