Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has clarified suggestions that Kai Havertz was signed from Chelsea as Granit Xhaka’s replacement.
Arteta made the clarification after Havertz made his debut for the Gunners in a 1-1 draw with Nurnberg in a pre-season match on Thursday, July 13.
The German midfielder was brought in to replace Reiss Nelson in the Former minutes.
The former Chelsea player was deployed in the inside left position of midfield following his £65million move from Chelsea.
Some football analysts and commentators have opined that Havertz would feel the vacuum created by Xhaka’s departure.
While reacting to such speculation, the Arsenal Manager, however stressed that the German playermaker has come to the club with his different qualities.
Arteta said: He’s not a replacement [for Xhaka]. He’s not gonna be like-for-like because everybody’s going to be very different to what Granit gave us.
“It will be very different but Kai has tremendous qualities for our way of playing.”
