Arsenal's transfer interest in Kai Havertz has provided debate among supporters. The Chelsea forward has been the subject of a bid worth £55m by the Gunners, an offer falling short of the reported £70million valuation.
The Gunners' need for a new forward has been a major talking point following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season. Gabriel Jesus enjoyed a successful debut season in north London, albeit missing three months due to injury, scoring 11 goals and assisting eight.
His overall game did improve Mikel Arteta's side with his goalscoring nature partnered with his ability to drop deep and play as a false 9 supplementing the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli perfectly. However, for Arsenal to maximise their potential and become England's greatest teams, another option at centre-forward could be optimised.
Havertz is a genuine target for Arsenal, football.london understands. However, his goal-scoring statistics don't really provide great reading. Since moving to the Premier League in 2020, his best season in front of goal saw him score 14 in 47 - 0.29 goals per game.
Last season, in Chelsea's worst Premier League campaign in history, he managed only seven goals. As mentioned, his record isn't the best. But for some time, he has been forced to play outside his best position as a false 9/attacking midfielder.
But there is a single statistic that makes him an attractive asset for Arsenal. According to OptaJoe, the 24-year-old made 334 off-ball runs into the penalty area last season, a truly astonishing number.
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Havertz's 334 runs were the second most of any player in the Premier League, five behind Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. As we know, the Norwegian broke countless records in his first season in England with 52 goals in 53 games.
The job of Arteta will be to implement Havertz into his Arsenal team and play to his strengths. His tall frame makes him a problem for defence with balls in the air while his late runs into the penalty box could be the perfect recipe for the Gunners next season.
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