Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed strong confidence in Kai Havertz’s ability to become a 30-goal-a-season striker, describing the German forward’s football intelligence as exceptional and highlighting the importance of consistent playing time in reaching that level.
Arteta’s backing comes as Arsenal prepare for their Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday, October 18, with Havertz expected to lead the attack amid competition for the centre-forward position.
The Arsenal boss believes the 27-year-old possesses the technical understanding, tactical awareness and mentality required to deliver a significant return in front of goal if he can maintain his fitness and enjoy a sustained run of matches.
“He has that ability,” Arteta said when discussing Havertz’s potential as a prolific striker. He explained that regular opportunities to play and participate in attacking actions would be important to helping the forward reach that level, adding that he was a strong believer in his capabilities.
Arteta’s confidence is particularly notable because Havertz has endured a difficult period in front of goal. The Germany international scored twice in Arsenal’s opening three Premier League matches this season but subsequently went five league games without finding the net, according to reports published ahead of Sunday’s fixture.
Despite that drought, Arteta has continued to trust Havertz in the central attacking role, valuing the qualities he brings to Arsenal’s overall play as well as his ability to finish chances.
The manager singled out Havertz’s football intelligence as one of his most distinctive strengths, explaining that the forward processes information quickly and understands tactical situations at an exceptional speed.
“His football IQ, it’s something else,” Arteta said, emphasising the player’s ability to understand instructions and interpret situations on the pitch. He suggested that this level of understanding was particularly valuable in a striker, a position that requires players to make rapid decisions under pressure.
Havertz’s importance to Arsenal extends beyond the number of goals he scores. His movement can create space for teammates, while his ability to link midfield and attack gives Arteta flexibility when building attacking moves. His positioning and awareness can also help Arsenal progress through compact defensive lines.
Those attributes explain why the manager continues to speak positively about the forward even when his scoring numbers temporarily decline. For Arsenal, the challenge is to turn Havertz’s all-round contribution into a more consistent stream of goals as the campaign develops.
The German joined Arsenal from Chelsea in 2023 and made an immediate contribution, scoring 14 goals in his first season before registering 15 in the following campaign. Those returns provide evidence of his capacity to contribute regularly in the final third, although reaching 30 goals in a single season would represent a substantial increase in output.
His progress has not been entirely straightforward. A hamstring injury curtailed his previous campaign, and further hamstring and knee problems limited him to 24 appearances across all competitions last season, during which he scored seven goals. The interruptions restricted his opportunities to build rhythm and maintain consistent form.
Arteta said returning to the highest level after an extended spell out injured was not easy, but praised Havertz’s mentality and response during pre-season. The manager’s comments suggest that he sees the forward’s resilience as another reason to remain confident in his long-term contribution.
However, Havertz faces competition from Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal’s Swedish striker, who is also seeking to establish himself as a regular source of goals. Gyokeres has experienced a difficult start to the league campaign, and Arteta has acknowledged that confidence and public perceptions can change quickly depending on whether a striker scores. Nevertheless, the manager has also praised Gyokeres’ determination, work rate and willingness to improve, making clear that he remains an option for selection.
The competition for the central attacking position gives Havertz an opportunity to strengthen his place in the team, but Arteta’s comments indicate that the decision is not based solely on recent scoring records. Tactical understanding, movement, contribution to the team’s structure and consistency in training are also important considerations.
Arsenal’s encounter with Nottingham Forest therefore presents another opportunity for Havertz to demonstrate the qualities that have earned his manager’s confidence. Ending his scoring drought would provide a timely boost, although Arteta’s broader message is that sustained opportunities and fitness are essential to unlocking the forward’s potential.
A 30-goal campaign remains an ambitious target rather than a guarantee. Havertz would need to combine availability with consistent finishing over a demanding season. Yet Arteta’s public backing makes clear that he believes the German has the attributes to reach a higher level of productivity.
For Arsenal, the hope will be that Havertz can translate his intelligence and all-round attacking contribution into regular goals, strengthening the club’s options as it pursues its objectives in the Premier League and other competitions.
