Mikel Arteta believes that Kai Havertz has even more to offer as Arsenal gear up for their Premier League clash against Bournemouth this Saturday.
Havertz, who has had an impressive start to the season, has been pivotal in Arsenal’s strong performance so far.
With four goals and an assist, the German forward has embraced his new role in the team, helping Arsenal secure crucial victories.
As the Gunners aim to maintain their momentum, sports prediction site Jambobet, known for its accuracy, has given Arsenal a 65.2% chance of winning this fixture.
Since joining Arsenal, Havertz has been adapting to his new role under Arteta. He has taken on the false nine position with confidence, becoming a central figure in Arsenal’s attacking play.
His most recent contribution came in the form of a critical equalizer during Arsenal’s 3-1 comeback win against Southampton before the international break.
Havertz’s ability to find space and make intelligent runs has added a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack, and Arteta sees even more potential in the forward.
“You can tell he’s playing with more confidence now,” Arteta said when asked about Havertz’s form. “He takes the ball, he runs with it, and he’s fully committed to the high press. His football brain is incredible, and when he plays as a false nine, you don’t always know where he’s going to be on the pitch.”
Arteta’s words highlight the trust he has in Havertz, believing the player can take his game to another level. This faith will be crucial as Arsenal looks to continue their unbeaten run in all competitions, with Havertz at the heart of their offensive efforts.
After the second international break of the 2024-25 season, Arsenal find themselves just one point behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table, with 17 points from seven games.
The Gunners have been one of the most consistent teams in the league this season, boasting an unbeaten record in all 10 of their matches across all competitions.
Arsenal’s next game against Bournemouth offers them a chance to reach a significant milestone. If they secure victory, it will mark their 2,000th top-flight win, making them only the second English team to achieve this, after Liverpool.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Leicester City, a game in which they missed multiple opportunities. Currently sitting 14th in the Premier League with eight points, Andoni Iraola’s team will need to be at their best to challenge a high-flying Arsenal side.
Iraola expressed his frustration following Bournemouth’s defeat to Leicester, citing his team’s inability to convert their chances. “We had enough chances to win, but we didn’t take them,” he said. “We have to be more clinical. Creating chances is good, but we’re not getting the points, and that’s hurting us.”
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Players to Watch: Havertz and Semenyo
For Arsenal, Havertz remains the man to watch. The 24-year-old has been directly involved in 20 goals in his last 21 Premier League appearances, a remarkable statistic that underlines his importance to Arteta’s system.
His first goal for the Gunners came in this very fixture last season, where he scored from the penalty spot in a 4-0 win over Bournemouth. Given his form, he could once again be a key player on the south coast.
On the other side, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has been a standout performer this season. He leads Bournemouth’s squad with four goal involvements (three goals, one assist) and has been their most successful dribbler with 12 completed dribbles.
His pace and creativity make him a significant threat on the counter-attack, and Arsenal’s defense will need to stay alert to keep him quiet.
Historically, Arsenal have had the upper hand in this fixture. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last four Premier League meetings with Bournemouth since the Cherries returned to the top flight in 2022, with Arsenal winning all four matches by an aggregate score of 13-2. In each of those games, Arsenal have netted three or more goals, underlining their dominance against Bournemouth in recent encounters.
Bournemouth’s struggles against top-half teams have been well-documented. Since their impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester United last December, Iraola’s side have failed to win any of their last 11 matches against teams in the top half of the table, managing only four draws and suffering seven losses.
Match Prediction: Arsenal to Continue Their Winning Streak
Heading into this match, Arsenal will be brimming with confidence, especially after their 3-1 win over Southampton in their last outing.
With Havertz in top form and Arteta pushing his team for more, the Gunners look well-placed to claim all three points. According to Jambobet, Arsenal have a 65.2% chance of winning, while Bournemouth’s win probability sits at just 16.1%, with a draw rated at 18.7%.
For Bournemouth, breaking Arsenal’s winning streak will require a near-perfect performance. Iraola’s men must be more clinical in front of goal if they want to have any chance of upsetting the odds.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will be looking to add to their impressive goal-scoring record against Bournemouth and continue their pursuit of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
