Mikel Arteta shares plans for Kai Havertz after Viktor Gyokeres transfer

Arsenal beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 this weekend, with Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz both on target, and boss Mikel Arteta believes both players can play together and complement one another this season

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz can play in the same team after both players scored in their 3-0 friendly win over Athletic Bilbao.

Arteta started new £64m striker Gyokeres up front and the Swedish international grabbed his first goal for the Gunners, getting up superbly to glance a header into the far corner.

Havertz started the game on the bench but came on in the 71st minute before giving Arsenal their third and final goal as he slotted home under pressure after being put through on goal by Bukayo Saka.

There will now be questions on how Havertz configures into the team following Gyokeres’ arrival – and whether the German could now be sidelined or reduced to a bench option this season.

But after the game Arteta was insistent that the two players could complement each other and pointed out that Havertz was a versatile player capable of playing in midfield too.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta issues update on Arsenal transfer plans as Viktor Gyokeres warning firedREAD MORE: Mikel Arteta makes confident Viktor Gyokeres prediction after first Arsenal goal

“They can play together or Kai can play in different positions,” the Spaniard said after the game. “It elevates the quality in the squad, the options we have in the team and the options to provide opposition with a lot of problems.

Arteta went on to say that having multiple attacking options was a positive dilemma to have after going through last season without a recognised No 9. He said: “It’s great to see them both scoring and both of them in such good form. It’s a good problem to have.”

Havertz is hoping to kick on this season after his 2024-25 campaign was ended prematurely through injury. He knows there will be a fight for competition after Arsenal spent heavily on new arrivals, including £55m on Martin Zubimendi and a similar fee on Noni Madueke.

Gyokeres is being backed to help Arsenal deliver a trophy this season after stunning individual campaign saw him score 54 times in 52 games for Sporting Lisbon.

Arsenal were beaten 3-2 by Villarreal in their last pre-season game but Arteta said he was pleased with the team’s response in this game – as he praised both Gyokeres and Havertz for their efforts and said it will help the entire team that everyone is “raising the level”.

“I am very happy with what I see,” he said. “I think, individually, there was some big performances against a Champions League opponent. It’s a good feeling.

“That first goal is always very important and the way he (Gyokeres) took it as well, was really, really good. We are developing certain connections with the new players. It was very good. Kai came in and I think the goal he scored was top, as well.

“Raising the level of everybody is going to really help us, because at that level, we are going to need our very best from everybody.”

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