Arsenal get £27m transfer boost after Mikel Arteta double move pays off

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has seen his Kai Havertz transfer gamble pay off following his recent superb run of form. The Germany international faced criticism during the first few months of the season as he struggled to settle into life in north London after his switch across the capital from Chelsea.

Due to the injury absence of Gabriel Jesus, Havertz was deployed in a false nine role during the early months of 2024. Following defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup, the Gunners went on to win eight consecutive league games and score 31 goals with Havertz involved in a handful of those.

Four goals and two assists arrived in that time for Havertz with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard also playing a huge role in Arsenal's return to free-scoring form. Despite their recent goal frenzies, Arsenal struggled to break down Brentford last weekend, however it was Havertz who stepped up with an important late goal.

«I’m so happy,» Arteta admitted after the 2-1 win when asked about Havertz's display. «If somebody told me after the first two or three months that the whole stadium would be singing his song with that passion, with that feeling with that chemistry, I would have found it hard to believe. That’s what happens to good people. He's an exceptional player.»

Many questioned the £65million spent on Havertz in the summer, however he has done a superb job in recent months to justify that price tag and it has since been reflected. On CIES Football Observatory, the 24-year-old is valued at €100million (£85m), meaning £20million has already been gained on the player.

Havertz was joined by Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and David Raya as summer signings with the latter initially joining on loan due to profit and sustainability rules. A £27million