Kai Havertz credits Mikel Arteta for transforming his playing style

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has credited manager Mikel Arteta with fundamentally transforming his style of play. Havertz noted that under Arteta, he has developed a much stronger focus on defensive duties and the importance of winning duels when his team does not have possession.

Beyond individual defensive improvements, Havertz’s role at Arsenal reflects a broader tactical shift in the modern center-forward position. Rather than acting solely as a traditional goalscorer, his role is highly fluid and dictated by match situations, including opponent positioning, ball movement, and the need to control space to disrupt the opposition's build-up play.