Kai Havertz return gives Arsenal new blueprint to beat low block during nervy title run-in | OneFootball

Havertz display in midfield showed Mikel Arteta a formula for a more attacking set-up

It took a matter of seconds for Kai Havertz to show what Arsenal have been missing.

By the time another minute had passed, Havertz had played Viktor Gyokeres through on goal to finish for the opener.

"We realised straight away how much we missed him," Mikel Arteta said after the match. The Arsenal boss backed his forward to "take the team to a different level".

This was Havertz's first start in 357 days, having spent much of 2025 on the sidelines with first a hamstring injury and then a knee issue, both of which required surgery.

Havertz showed Arsenal what they missed as he was named player of the match against Kairat

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Considering how limited his playing time has been over the past 12 months, the 26-year-old looked remarkably sharp in the 3-2 win over Kairat.

The German had a goal to go with his assist within 15 minutes, cutting inside onto his left foot and beating goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov, who generously did a full-length dive past the ball.

That was Havertz's only shot in the match, clinically taking his one chance in sharp contrast to his team-mates in attack.

Gyokeres scored the opener but then had a succession of huge first-half opportunities go to waste. It is no exaggeration to say he could, and probably should, have netted six before half-time.

Gabriel Jesus came on for the closing stages and missed two one-on-ones, bending one wide and dinking the other straight at the goalkeeper.

When the Brazilian did finally find the back of the net, the offside flag was up to deny him.

Havertz only played 45 minutes, with his half-time withdrawal planned before the match to manage his workload, but that was enough to emphasise how important his absence has been, particularly for Gyokeres.

The pair looked to have a promising relationship. Havertz assisted Gyokeres' goal and the Swede, in bundling a defender out of the way, played a key part in creating the space for the German to finish.

Havertz had a goal to go with an assist within 15 minutes against Kairat

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Havertz could well have had two more assists. One cross into the near post was volleyed wide by Gyokeres, who then on the stretch from another Havertz pass could only get the faintest of touches and Gabriel Martinelli was there behind him to score.

Gyokeres benefitted from having someone of Havertz's profile in that right No8 role. The level of opposition meant that Havertz could effectively play as a second striker, drifting into the box and playing in a far more direct manner than Martin Odegaard does in that position.

Had Havertz been available all season, perhaps Gyokeres' first campaign at Arsenal would have turned out differently.

He could have been eased into the side more gently, getting cameos off the bench against stretched defences to build his confidence, rather than having to start effectively every match with Havertz and Jesus out injured.

Gyokeres can look at Havertz as an example to follow. When he signed from Chelsea, Havertz struggled for form and there were loud conversations over whether Arsenal had made a big mistake in signing him.

Now in his third season at the club, Havertz is the man the Gunners are pinning their hopes on to knit a struggling attack together.

Arteta has also now has food for thought when it comes to Havertz's position when in the side, whether that be in midfield or up front.

"Yeah, he can play in both," Arteta said after the match.

"I think right, left, attacking midfielder or nine, it doesn't change too much for him. Depending on the position and the relationship that we have around him and players that are available as well, we make those decisions."

Most of his minutes will likely come as a striker, but with this display in midfield Havertz showed a possible blueprint for a more attacking set-up against sides Arsenal might struggle to break down during what could be a nervy run-in.

The trip to Leeds this weekend might be too soon for Havertz in terms of a Premier League start but those will soon come.

If he stays fit, there is no debate to be had over who should be Arsenal's first-choice striker for the run-in.