Kai Havertz is back.
The German forward returned to the starting XI for the clash with Kairat Almaty and impressed immensely as the Gunners ended their European group campaign with eight wins from eight.
Havertz scored and assisted twice to have a huge impact on the game before being taken off at half-time in what seemed a planned substitution.
Nevertheless, seeing Havertz for just one half of football underlined just how much the Gunners have missed their man.
You pick: ________ should start in the number ten vs Leeds… 👀
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Now, with Leeds up next in the Premier League, all eyes will be on if he is given the nod from Arteta again.
And according to the boss himself, Havertz will be banging on his door to play.
Mikel Arteta makes Kai Havertz admission ahead of Leeds United clash
Havertz has been a huge miss for Arsenal.
It was obvious right from minute one and in the FA Cup a week or two ago just what a big loss he has been to this Arsenal team.
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With a big match against Leeds next and one which Arsenal have to win, Havertz’s return is timely.
And Mikel Arteta has admitted the German will be desperate to be involved once again.
“He’s fine, that’s what we planned [coming off at half-time], 45 minutes.
“We wanted to start him as well so he could do all the process before that in the best possible way, and from now on we have to make a decision whether he starts or not in these competitions.
“For sure, he wanted to continue playing today so I know what is coming tomorrow!”
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There is no time to rest Kai Havertz, he must play
Some players are too good to be sitting on the bench and while we are all aware of the time out Havertz has spent, his return needs embracing.
Put simply, this is a player who is too good and too important to Arsenal to not play. The game with Leeds is in must-win territory and that means picking the best team possible.
Who do you want Arsenal to face next in the Champions League?
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As we’ve seen tonight, Arsenal are at their best when Havertz plays and we already got a glimpse into how his relationship with Viktor Gyokeres might work.
With Havertz back and having a few days to recover, he simply has to be in the starting XI.
In fact, he’s arguably the first name on the team-sheet, such is his importance.
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