“He certainly has all the qualities" - Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal star has the ability to be a 20-goal per season player

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes German forward Kai Havertz has what it takes to become a 20-goal-per-season player for the Gunners. Havertz joined the Gunners from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for a reported £65 million, in a move that was labeled ill-advised for Mikel Arteta's side by many pundits.

Since then, Havertz has proved his worth in Arsenal's set-up, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists in 60 appearances across competitions for the Gunners. The 25-year-old has also operated in midfield occasionally and brings elite physicality and out-of-possession discipline to the line-up.

Mikel Arteta believes Havertz has even more to give, claiming that the Germany international can get to the next level. The manager told the press (via the club's website):

"First of all, because he’s so good, because he wants it so much and because he’s surrounded by great players around him. The fact that he’s gone through some difficult moments just made him a better player, and a great person I think."

"He certainly has all the qualities and he certainly has the ambition to [score 20 goals a season]. In the end, scoring goals sometimes are very small details and a lot of things have to go for you, but he’s got it and his mindset has changed a lot in regards to that. He certainly has ability to do it in my opinion."

This season, Havertz has scored five goals and provided one assist in just nine games. He has also scored in Arsenal's last three games in a row - against Bolton, Leicester City, and Paris Saint-Germain.

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Arteta provides injury updates ahead of Arsenal's weekend clash against Southampton

Mikel Arteta has provided injury updates ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, October 5. A number of players are out of contention, with Arteta discussing the return date for Oleksandr Zinchenko and club captain Martin Odegaard. He said (via football.london):

"Alex (Zinchenko) probably after the international break. Martin is very difficult. I expected still with the boot and a lot of things but he’s working so hard and he’s pushing."

Arteta also spoke about potential doubts like Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu, adding:

"We had to modify training for a lot of players. It was the same today. There will be a decision to make this afternoon yes or no. They are close and Tomiyasu is too."

The Arsenal manager will look for the win against a relegation-threatened Southampton side that currently sit in 19th place on the Premier League table.