Arsenal boss says Havertz and Gyokeres can play together

Mikel Arteta is confident that Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres can play together for Arsenal.

Havertz made his first start of the campaign as Arsenal concluded their Champions League league phase campaign with a 3-2 win over Kairat at the Emirates on Wednesday.

The German had played just 59 minutes this season after picking up a knee injury in the opening game of the Premier League season against Manchester United.

Havertz shone on his return to the starting side, assisting the early opener for Viktor Gyokeres, before scoring the second with a brilliant individual effort.

The 26-year-old has largely operated as a centre-forward for Arsenal but impressed in a deeper role, offering creative support to summer signing Gyokeres.

Back at home pic.twitter.com/7HaB8y8RX4

— Kai Havertz (@kaihavertz29) January 28, 2026

It’s a connection that Arteta believes can develop with confidence that the Arsenal forwards can form an understanding.

“Kai, not only bringing him in, I think the quality that he showed, the way he connected with the team, the goal that he scored, the assist that he made in the first half – a really positive performance.

“He can play in [all positions] I think – right, left, attacking midfielder or nine. It doesn’t change much for him, depending on the position, the relationships we have around him, and the players that are available as well. We’ll make those decisions. The good thing is that he’s fit, he’s available and he’s going to give us so much.

“Every player has unique qualities. Kai is a player who gives us so much versatility and threat across different positions because he’s unique in the areas he can occupy and the way he connects with other players.

“He’s a player who understands so well, in the league, what we want to do, he copes really well with pressure and with different demands and he’s a player that is going to be really important in this second part of the season.”

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