Xhaka offers advice to Arsenal replacement Havertz

Tom Weber

• Updated: 19 Dec 2023 11:21 GMT
• 3 min read

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has offered some words of advice to his replacement Kai Havertz.

The German arrived at the Emirates to the tune of €75 million after Xhaka's departure for Bayer Leverkusen, but Havertz has only recently managed to turn a corner. His early days at Arsenal were very much like his final days at Chelsea, marred by underperformance and mediocrity.

However, Arsenal and especially Mikel Arteta kept the faith and continued to back the midfielder and it is now paying dividends. Havertz is beginning to look like the player many knew he could be from his Bundesliga days, having scored five goals for club and country since November.

Against Brighton at the weekend, Havertz again found the back of the net and impressed with his overall performance. He is beginning to find his feet in what is an unusual position for him in the number eight role, having originally been an attacking midfielder at Leverkusen and often being used as a striker at Chelsea.

Xhaka advice

Granit Xhaka, the man Havertz has been tasked with replacing, knows a thing or two about struggling at Arsenal. Speaking to The Athletic, the Swiss midfielder opened up about almost being forced out of the club only to become a key player under Arteta, who put his full confidence in him.

Xhaka believes that we are now seeing something similar happen with Havertz. The German is benefitting from the support he is receiving from Arteta and it shows. The 31-year-old also offered some words of advice to the €75m man.

“I know what it’s like for Kai, when people on the outside are a little bit nervous and the fans get restless. He just needs to stay calm. It’s a new position for him and it takes time to fully understand Mikel’s philosophy."

"But he’s getting better all the time and his confidence is coming back now. Everyone knows his potential but having the confidence of your club, your manager and your team-mates is everything. You always need that backing.”

“Arsenal supporters sometimes can take a bit of persuading to change their minds. But at the end, I won them around. I hope for Kai that he will do the same, and that the critics will eat their words.”