Kai Havertz would still be first choice even if this Arsenal transfer deal had gone through

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz would still have been Mikel Arteta’s first choice up front this season even if Benjamin Sesko had ended up joining the Gunners earlier in the summer.

That’s according to Arsenal expert Charles Watts as he spoke exclusively to CaughtOffside for the latest edition of his Daily Briefing column, discussing Havertz’s important role in this team after a strong start to the season against Wolves.

The Germany international scored one and set up the other in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Wolves, and it’s fair to say Watts has been hugely impressed by the former Chelsea man’s contribution since the second half of last season.

Despite a slow start when he first joined Arsenal, we’re now really seeing the best of Havertz and it’s perhaps not too surprising now that Watts isn’t sure a new striker is that urgently needed.

In fact, it seems that even when Sesko was on Arsenal’s list earlier in the summer, he was not being targeted with the view to replacing Havertz in Arteta’s first XI.

Havertz shows Arsenal don’t need a new striker signing, says Watts

“Havertz’s numbers since he moved into the central striker’s role for Arsenal have been excellent. He has averaged a goal or an assist every 91.5 minutes since the start of 2024 in the Premier League. Only Cole Palmer, Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak and Saka have a better record than that,” Watts said.

“And that’s why there is no great concern within Arsenal to add an out and out striker to their squad before the end of the month. Obviously they wanted Benjamin Sesko earlier in the window, but he was viewed more as a development type addition. Havertz would still have started as the striker even if Sesko had joined.

“I do still think they need to add another attacking option in the next couple of weeks. But I’m thinking more about another wide option that central one. Arsenal are a better team when they have Havertz as the focal point and I don’t see why he can’t end this season around the 20 goal mark.

“If he keeps up doing what he has been doing since the start of 2024, that looks like a very realistic target for the impressive German.”