Arteta backed to turn new Arsenal signing into ‘incredible’ star, as Newcastle comparison made amid ‘full’ GBroadcaster and Arsenal fan Laura Woods has given her verdict on one of the Gunners’ new arrivals, backing Mikel Arteta to turn him into an elite player.
Arsenal have been busy building for the 2023-24 campaign after missing out on last season’s Premier League title to Manchester City. Arteta is determined to help Arsenal get the better of City next term and sporting director Edu has resultantly backed him with three big signings.
Arsenal spent £65million to sign Germany forward Kai Havertz from London rivals Chelsea. They have also improved their defensive options with the capture of Jurrien Timber from Ajax. As per David Ornstein, Timber cost Arsenal an initial £34.6m, though the deal could rise to £38.9m as a result of add-ons.
Arsenal’s biggest transfer of the summer involves England midfielder Declan Rice. The North London side have smashed their transfer record by spending a huge £100m on Rice. And the move could eventually be worth £105m depending on bonuses, which would make him the second-most expensive Premier League player of all time.
All three new signings featured for Arsenal in their 5-0 thrashing of MLS All-Stars on Thursday, with Havertz getting on the scoresheet.
Earlier this week, former Tottenham player Jamie O’Hara tipped Havertz to be a big flop at Arsenal. However, Woods is ‘fully trusting’ Arteta to get the best out of the 24-year-old.
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During an appearance on TNT Sports (via talkSPORT), the presenter said: “I think with Havertz, he’s not a striker and I think you’ve got to play him in the right position.
“If Arteta thinks that might be midfield, I’m fully trusting of Arteta. I’ve always been an Arteta, trust the process disciple.
Arteta will be delighted with Kai Havertz attitude – Woods
“I’ve seen a lot of his interviews as well, his arrival interviews, and I know him obviously from Chelsea and I think he’s a really great lad.
“I think the really important thing that Arteta actually talks about a lot when you interview him away from football, is how important it is that the footballers have the right attitude first.
“It’s almost like attitude and then talent in a lot of ways, or perhaps on the same level.”
Woods went on to suggest how Havertz could emulate Newcastle ace Joelinton by transforming himself from a disappointing striker to a dominant midfielder.
“So if he’s picked him out and thought, ‘You know what, let’s pop him in midfield’, we’ve seen things like this happen in the Premier League before, like Joelinton,” Woods added.
“Wasn’t very good up front, you drop him back a little bit and all of a sudden you’ve got this incredible new-born player.
“So we might have that with Havertz but to be honest, I actually thought he was great at Chelsea so I’m excited about that.”
Havertz certainly has a fight on his hands to get into the Arsenal starting eleven, whether it’s in midfield or attack. Arteta can already rely on Gabriel Jesus at centre-forward, while his midfield will likely consist of Rice, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey, or a defensive midfield replacement if the latter leaves.unners trust
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