Ornstein explains how Havertz may have changed Arsenal transfer plan | OneFootball

Kai Havertz’s form may push Arsenal’s pursuit of a centre-forward down their list of transfer priorities, according to David Ornstein.

It has long been reported that Arsenal are primarily interested in signing a centre-forward this summer, but that may be changing after the last few months of football.

John Cross reported for the Mirror earlier this month that Kai Havertz’s form up front would likely push Arsenal to buy a younger striker to develop rather than going all out for an experienced centre-forward immediately.

David Ornstein then added for The Athletic this week that Havertz’s impact may indeed influence Arsenal’s decision, particularly if Gabriel Jesus also ends up sticking around.

Ornstein reports that midfield is a key area of focus, despite all the talk about a central striker.

It’s not as though Havertz is competing for the Golden Boot, with his 11 Premier League goals for Arsenal still a way off that kind of pace. But there are certainly factors that would suggest Arsenal might consider putting more faith in the 24-year-old up front.

For a start, Havertz has scored six goals and assisted five in the nine Premier League games he’s started for Arsenal at centre-forward.

That’s an excellent record, and makes you wonder what kind of numbers he might have put up if he’d spent the whole season in the forward line.

But more than that, Arsenal have won eight of those nine games, drawing the ninth against Manchester City. So it’s not just working for him, it’s working for the team.

Havertz isn’t the most clinical player out there, but his appearances at centre-forward suggest he’s the kind of striker for whom chances will keep falling until he converts. That can be just as invaluable.

If it allows Arsenal to take a longer-term view in the centre-forward position and to focus on the midfield, that could be a good thing for all involved.