Arteta backs Havertz to hit 25 goals a season as Gyokeres drops to the bench

Mikel Arteta has declared Kai Havertz capable of scoring 25 goals a season for Arsenal, cementing the Germany international as his first-choice centre forward ahead of summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, who has been reduced to a bench role despite costing the club £64 million.

Arteta’s confidence in Havertz is striking given the striker’s scoring record. The former Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea forward has only once reached 20 league goals in a single season — during his time at Leverkusen — and has surpassed double figures in the Premier League just once, netting 13 in 2023-24. Injuries disrupted his last campaign, but Arteta insists the volume of games and opportunities will unlock a more prolific version of the player.

“He has that ability. That is why he is playing there as well, and that is why we signed him,” Arteta said. “I think he has it, and he needs that volume of games and actions. If you give him that, I am a big believer that yes, he can do it.”

Havertz has made an encouraging start to the current season, contributing three goals and an assist, including an impact appearance off the bench in Arsenal’s Champions League win over Lille. Yet Arteta revealed the 25-year-old left that game frustrated despite the positive outcome.

“He’s so competitive, Kai. After the game with Lille, he came in and he’d made a massive impact — but he left the pitch so upset because he did not score a goal,” Arteta said. “He was happy to help the team but so upset. That is the character we want: a player who wants to evolve and improve every single day.”

The Arsenal manager also pointed to Havertz’s mental resilience after a lengthy injury absence last season, during which the forward still contributed to the club’s run-in as they secured their first Premier League title in 22 years.

“From a very difficult season, he was out for a long period of time and to get back at the highest level is not easy and it can take time,” Arteta added. “But Kai has done it almost immediately from pre-season and I’m not surprised because his mentality is top.”

The clear pecking order leaves Gyokeres in an uncomfortable position. The Sweden international arrived with considerable fanfare and a significant price tag, yet Arteta’s public endorsement of Havertz suggests the £64m man faces a patient wait for regular starts.