Arsenal's 'next Mesut Ozil' backed for success as Fabio Vieira threat emerges

Arsenal signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea in a £65million deal earlier this summer but the German has struggled to adapt to his new role under Mikel Arteta

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has backed Kai Havertz to succeed at the Emirates Stadium - claiming the German reminds him of ex-Gunners star Mesut Ozil. Havertz joined Arsenal following a difficult season with Chelsea and has found himself playing in a new role under Mikel Arteta.

“I feel for Kai Havertz. He’s playing in a position where it’s not easy,” the Gunners icon told Sky Sports.

“He hasn’t played very well. Mikel Arteta will stick with him. He’s low on confidence but Arsenal have won three and drawn one. You’ve paid that money and put yourself out there to go and get him.

“The cream rises to the top. I’m a big fan but I did say when he got signed, he has got that look of Mesut Ozil about him.

“That’s the problem. If it isn’t going well, he doesn’t look too interested. That’s not the case - it just comes across like that.”

As the fixtures begin to come thick and fast after the international break, one man who is pushing to replace Havertz in the starting XI is Fabio Vieira. The Portuguese playmaker has registered two assists in his last two cameo appearances off the bench with Arteta claiming that something has 'changed' for the youngster.

Speaking after the 3-1 win against Manchester United, Arteta said: "Every player has a chance to do that, today we decided to start with Kai [Havertz]. We knew that Fabio [Vieira] would have a big impact especially in the last few minutes, or final minutes if we needed something and something has changed with Fabio.

"You notice with the crowd when he steps in he is different to how he was last year, he’s more mature, he’s more senior in