How Arsenal Could Line Up Next Season With Rice and Havertz in Midfield

• Kai Havertz completed the switch across London from Chelsea to Arsenal
• Mikel Arteta praised him for both his intelligence and versatility as a player
• Havertz could change roles to instead into the left side of Arsenal’s midfield

Kai Havertz is expected to take up a new position when he steps on the pitch for Arsenal, after completing a £65 million move to the Emirates Stadium from rivals, Chelsea.

He was majorly deployed as a number 10 or a centre-forward for most of his three-year stay with the Blues, but Mikel Arteta has hinted at a new position for the German.

Arteta told Arsenal's official website that the 24-year-old has great versatility and is an intelligent player who would provide extra strength and variety to their midfield.

According to The Athletic, the Gunners have also agreed on £105mil plus add-ons for West Ham captain, Declan Rice, making him a record signing for the club and the most expensive British player.

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Sports Brief looks at how Arteta could line the team up next season with Rice and Havertz in midfield.

Defence

The Premier League runners-up are expected to keep to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation and retain the same backline of goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale, and defenders Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, despite Jakub Kiwior’s late resurgence last season and Jurrien Timber nearing a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Midfield

This is where big changes are expected to happen. Granit Xhaka will leave for Bayer Leverkusen, while it is also a possibility Thomas Partey will leave. Rice could slot into defensive midfield, while Havertz would likely fill the left-sided 8 previously occupied by Xhaka. Captain, Martin Odegaard, retains his place as a central attacking midfielder.

Attack

The attack is also expected to remain unchanged, with young wingers, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, flanking Brazilian striker, Gabriel Jesus.

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Havertz’s farewell to Chelsea fans

Sports Brief also reported on Havertz's emotional farewell message to fans of Chelsea even before both clubs made official his transfer from one side of London to the other.

He expressed gratitude after three years with the Blues, with his message receiving both appreciation from the club's fans and cheeky comments about his transfer fee.