The German’s arrival could push one player down the pecking order (Picture: Getty)
Kai Havertz’s impending transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal could ruffle a few feathers in north London with Eddie Nketiah ‘unsettled’ by the signing, according to reports.
The Gunners are closing in on a £65million deal for the Germany international, who is likely to provide cover and competition up top as well as offering a more attacking option in one of Mikel Arteta’s advanced midfielder roles.
Havertz predominantly played as a centre-forward or false nine for Chelsea last season, scoring eight times in 30 starts in all competitions in that role.
He played as more of a number 10 at previous club Bayer Leverkusen and generally lines up as an advanced, attacking midfielder for Germany behind a lone striker.
With so much versatility, and with Arsenal ready to pay such a large fee, Havertz is likely to play a big role at the Emirates next season – though that may not be good news for one of his future team-mates.
According to The Sun, Nketiah is worried that Arsenal’s decision to invest so heavily in another attacker will mean he falls down the pecking order at the club.
The 24-year-old played an important – if limited – role for the Gunners last season, particularly while Gabriel Jesus was sidelined after the World Cup.
Nketiah will have plenty of suitors if he pushes to leave (Picture: Getty)
He netted four times in the Premier League from just nine starts, scoring five more times across the FA Cup, Europa League and Carabao Cup.
Over the past two seasons, Nketiah has proven to be a reliable backup striker but The Sun’s report claims he does not want to continue in such a reduced role at this stage of his career – and fears his pitch time could be even more limited following Havertz’s arrival.
With Arsenal back in the Champions League, his starts could be limited to just domestic cup competitions but he wants to be playing week in, week out.
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Nketiah is reportedly now questioning his future at the club and is conscious of growing interest in him from other Premier League sides.
Crystal Palace and West Ham are both especially keen but Arsenal are not keen to sell a player who has been a very dependable part of the squad under Arteta, and the striker may need to force a move.
Nketiah feels he is capable of being a 20-goal-a-season striker in the Premier League but needs consistent game time to prove it.
Arteta, though, rates the forward very highly and does not feel Havertz – who is capable of playing the Granit Xhaka role in midfield – is a direct threat to Nketiah’s game time, while he could utilise different formations and play with two up top more often next season to provide greater opportunities for his attackers.
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The German’s arrival could push one player down the pecking order.