Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has vowed to continue supporting Kai Havertz in his ongoing efforts to settle at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners brought Havertz over from rivals Chelsea this summer for £65m, with Arteta determined to help the German international finally live up the superstar potential he showed earlier in his career.
In his first nine games, however, Havertz has failed to make any major impact at Arsenal and the 24-year-old, who has been converted into a midfielder, has not started either of the team’s last two Premier League games.
Despite his slow start, Havertz retains Arteta’s faith and the boss has explained how he plans to get the most out of his expensive experiment.
“Trying to help him as much as possible,” Arteta said. “Be next to him, give him the tools, confidence and minutes to exploit his talent.
“There are so many parts to his game that he is doing exceptionally well and we know he has to keep improving. As with any player, give him support, you see a player that does what he does every single day and applies himself. If they don’t perform, it’s up to us.
“He needs to glide with the team. The amount of time he’s played in the left unit with those players is three or four times. We’re going to have to carry on doing that. Certainly, we’re going to have the experience that [we’ve had] with many other players. Try to give him as much confidence and support as we can because that’s going to help him.”
One player who does appear to be enjoying a real upturn in form is defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has played a significant role off the bench in recent weeks.
“I always said I’m really confident the moment Tomi has consistency, he’s going to be a tremendous asset for us,” Arteta said of the Japan international. “He already is.
“He can play in any position in the backline, any formation in the backline and we don’t have a player like him. Defending, [he] is probably the best I’ve seen in many situations. His concepts, his principles, the way he applies them, the way he goes into duels. Now he needs a run of games. Physically, he is at his best. If Tomi is physically at his best, we’re going to have a player that is so important for us.
“His skill to defend, the way his body is built, it makes him a really complete player to do that. It’s really difficult to get past him. He’s always alert, that’s the way he’s been raised and educated – he’s always super focused. For a defender, that’s a big, big attribute.”
