Kai Havertz has had a tough couple of years with injuries.

A serious hamstring problem ended his 2024/25 season early, with Mikel Merino forced to fill in up front, and after three months out, he picked up a knee injury on the opening day of last season at Old Trafford that kept him out for another five months.

He was limited to just 12 Premier League appearances last season and took time to find his rhythm, but he came good when it mattered, playing a big part in the title run-in and scoring in the Champions League final.

This season, he’s back to being Arsenal’s first-choice striker. He’s started all six league games ahead of Viktor Gyokeres and has three goals in all competitions. Arsenal have scored 10 in the league, six fewer than leaders Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta thinks Kai Havertz can score 25 goals

Asked whether Havertz is the kind of striker who can score 25 goals in a season, Mikel Arteta is fully confident in his German forward.

“Yeah, that’s why he’s playing there as well, and that’s why we signed him,” he said. “I think he has it, and he needs that volume of games and action. If you give him that, I am a big believer that yes, he can do that.”

That would be a new high for Havertz. His best return is 20 goals in all competitions, back in his Bayer Leverkusen days, and his best tally during his time in England is 15, in his second season at Arsenal.

Arteta pointed to the German’s mentality as the reason he believes he can get there, and to his reaction after the win over Leeds in particular.

“He made a massive impact. You could see it straight away, what he did on the pitch. He left the pitch and he was so upset he didn’t score a goal,” Arteta said. “You know, he was happy he helped the team, but so upset. And that’s the guy that we want.

“From a very difficult season, it was a long period of time for a nine to get back at the level. It’s not easy and sometimes it takes time, and Kai has done almost immediately from pre-season. And I’m not surprised because his mentality is top.”