A few people have scratched their head when it comes to the impending signing of Kai Havertz. But his acquisition will allow Mikel Arteta to make tactical and personel changes that were not avaialble to him last season.
Havertz gives Arteta 6 different options as to how we set up:
When we are looking to attack
Kai Havertz gives us the option to play with a more attacking side. By planning him in tandem with Odegaard, we have more creativity in both “8” positions. This gives us more attacking balance.
Expect this formation to be used when we are chasing a game, or when we are playing against a team that will employ a low block and not look to attack us.
Havertz with his passing range, touch and ability to ghost in the box will give us an attacking threat we did not have with Granit Xhaka.
When are looking defend
When we play tougher teams such as Manchester City, Newcastle or away in the Champions League, we may well look to play a little more defensive. This will probably see Havertz dropped to the bench.
Playing Declan Rice further forward (if he signs), gives us a bit more of a solid side defensively. I would expect Rice to play a little less advanced, providing more physicality in the middle alongside Thomas Partey (or Romeo Lavia if the deals happen).
And then if we are chasing a game? You bring on Havertz and play Rice deeper.
The acquisitions of both Rice and Havertz allows us to go more attacking or more defensive than we did when we had Xhaka.
When Gabriel Jesus is out injured / rested
Whilst Havertz’s natural position (for me anyone) is that deeper position on the left hand central side, he has also shown he is a decent focal point upfront.
He is by no means a clinical striker. But as Thierry Henry pointed out, he can play a simialr role to Robin van Persie.
Playing with his back to goal, he can be more of a link up man bringing Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Odegaard into play.
van Persie did this with great effect, linking up with the likes of Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Andrei Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas.
Havertz gives Mikel Arteta an alternative option in comparison to Eddie Nketiah. Changing the attacking shape with a false 9 rather than having someone run the channels.
When Bukayo Saka is injured / rested
I expect Leandro Trossard to be the first choice replacement for both Saka and Martinelli. But Havertz is also an option on the right hand side.
Left footed, Havertz can replicate what Saka does when he drops inside onto his stronger foot.
When Bukayo Saka is injured / rested (Jesus out wide)
There is also an option to play Jesus outwide and Havertz down the middle if Saka is out.
As described above, Havertz could be great at bringing others into play. And I always feel Jesus is best playing off someone rather than leading the line himself.
Havertz down the middle and Jesus on the right (or vice versa) will allow Arteta the chance to give Saka a rest.
When Martin Odegaard is out injured / rested
Finally, Havertz is a better option than Fabio Vieira if Odegaard is out. I do not think this line up has been discussed enough.
Vieira has not really settled into the Premier League yet. He has great technique but looks weak and lacks confidence. I think there is a player there, but Havertz is simply superior.
Odegaard out injured or rotated? Havertz has to play (unless his versatility is being utilised elsewhere.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
Not bad
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