Germany international player Kai Havertz has joined Arsenal from Chelsea on a long-term contract.
The 24-year-old graduated from Bayer Leverkusen’s academy in his home country and signed his first professional contract in 2016.
Havertz played 150 times for Bayer Leverkusen over the course of four years, contributing 31 times and providing assists on 46 goals.
Havertz joined Chelsea in the summer of 2020 and made the switch to the Premier League.
He made 139 appearances over the course of his three seasons in West London, contributing to 15 goals and 32 assists across all competitions.
“His signing represents another important step in strengthening our young core of talented players we have at Arsenal. We look forward to working with Kai,” Arsenal’s Sporting Director Edu said.
Manager Mikel Arteta added: “Kai is a player of top quality. He has great versatility and is an intelligent player. He will bring a huge amount of extra strength to our midfield and variety to our play.”
But, many Arsenal fans are not convinced about their new player’s capabilities, with many doubting his ability to bring the required changes to the Emirates.
Zak Martin, a long-term supporter of the London club, wrote on Twitter:
“Most surreal signing in my 14 years of following Arsenal. Has not sunk in yet.”
Scott Saunders, Managing Editor of 90 Mins Football, is one of the few fans hopeful Havertz will deliver.
He wrote:
“Might be in the minority, but actually like this signing and quite like Havertz. One of the best youngsters on the planet when he moved to Chelsea. There’s a player there.”
Adrian Clarke, a tactics analyst agrees, he wrote:
“Excellent addition! Very smart player, who I think will suit Arteta’s Arsenal perfectly. Top number choice too.”
Ray Ray was clearly disgusted by the signing. He wrote:
“I’m going to fucking vomit. I hope anyone who sanctioned this deal is SACKED ON THE SPOT. This is what WE used to do to Arsenal. We used to pop by, double the wages of their key players, put the money on the table and call it a day. How we’ve fallen, man.”
Harvertz will wear the number 29 jersey and join his new teammates at their preseason camp in early July.