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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has opened up about a conversation he had with Arsenal star Declan Rice about Kai Havertz. The retired defender revealed how the Gunners' squad feels about Havertz.
The north Londoners secured Havertz's services from Chelsea last summer for a reported £65 million fee. The German arrived at the Emirates as a Champions League winner with three seasons of Premier League experience under his belt.
Havertz had a slow start to his career at Arsenal and initially received criticism for his performances and the substantial fee they paid for him. However, the 25-year-old managed to turn things around and play a key role for Mikel Arteta's side.
Havertz scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in 51 appearances across all competitions last term. Despite the turnaround in form, there have been demands for a natural No.9 who's a prolific goalscorer to help Arsenal end their 20-year drought for a Premier League title.
The Gunners have been linked with multiple strikers as well, including Ivan Toney, Viktor Gyokeres, and Victor Osimhen. However, those in the Emirates dressing room have confidently backed Havertz as their first-choice striker, including Declan Rice.
Speaking about a conversation he had with the England international, Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel (via The Mirror):
"Do you know what, I spoke to Declan Rice the other day, and he spoke about Havertz in such glowing terms. Like 'We don't need a No9, Havertz is our guy.' The confidence he exuded about Havertz. . .I was like, 'I didn't know you guys felt like that about him.' But he was like, 'Bro.'"
Kai Havertz's contract with the club runs until June 2028.
"It was superb, a great goal" - Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal star Kai Havertz after Wolves win
Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory in their opening game of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (August 17).
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka took the spotlight as the duo combined to score both goals. Havertz scored the opener in the first half, heading home a curling ball from Saka.
The German forward then assisted Saka's exquisite strike in the second half as the Gunners secured all three points.
During his post-match press conference, Arteta heaped praise on Havertz and said (per the club's official website):
"It was a great action - the whole action, the position, the delivery, the position we had in the box, the way he attacked the ball. It was superb, a great goal."
