How Mikel Arteta convinced Kai Havertz to sign for Arsenal | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta convinced Kai Havertz to sign for Arsenal on a video call during the German international’s summer holiday, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Whilst it may not have been the most popular or expected move at the time, Kai Havertz’s transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal certainly looks like a good one right now.

Havertz has seven goal contributions in 10 club appearances this season, playing every minute of Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League fixtures.

The forward’s form has him on the verge of a couple of club records for goalscoring in home games, and Arsenal consistently look like a better team when he’s leading the line instead of anyone else.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Kai Havertz of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on October 05, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The Athletic report that Havertz was convinced to join Arsenal in the summer of 2023 by an hour-and-a-half video call from Mikel Arteta.

The Arsenal manager had a bespoke presentation to show the striker, including words from family and previous coaches, pictures of his dogs, and a general message that he would be a long-term signing for the Gunners.

Arteta stressed that Havertz would have a caring and nuturing environment in place for the player to express himself, having lacked that kind of support at Chelsea.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The presentation evidently worked, Havertz joined Arsenal, and the environment Arteta promised has slowly started to get the best out of the 25-year-old.

With another four years still remaining on his contract, the hope is that the best is still yet to come.