Kai Havertz proves Mikel Arteta Arsenal point after £63.7m Viktor Gyokeres transfer

Kai Havertz could be forgiven for thinking his role in the Arsenal team is diminishing with the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.

Arsenal have been looking for a new striker for some time and finally got their man on Saturday night with the announcement of a £63.7million deal to sign Gyokeres.

Havertz missed 12 games in the second half of last season with a hamstring injury and that, coupled with Gabriel Jesus' injury absence, meant Arsenal were lacking in a recognised centre-forward.

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Mikel Arteta opted to use Mikel Merino and Lendro Trossard through the middle on occasion and that put paid to any hopes the Gunners had of chasing down Liverpool for the Premier League title.

Havertz played primarily as a striker for Bayer Leverkusen before joining Chelsea, for whom he also played up front. But upon joining Arsenal, Arteta had other ideas.

"He will bring a huge amount of extra strength to our midfield and variety to our play," Arteta said upon signing him.

Havertz has been utilised both up front and in midfield for Arsenal, so while Gyokeres' arrival may have led him to believe he would be bereft of opportunities up front, the signings of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard would have left him feeling the same in midfield.

Gyokeres was introduced to the Arsenal supporters ahead of the pre-season game with Newcastle United in Singapore on Sunday - the big striker signing the supporters have been craving.

He signed too late to play a part, however, with Havertz given the role through the middle against the Magpies.

An early chance highlighted just why Arsenal were so desperate to sign Gyokeres, with Havertz sending a free header careering high over the crossbar. It was not what the German would have wanted, having witnessed the excitement around Gyokeres.

But Havertz more than made up for it later in the half and almost proved Arteta's point about him.

In turning over possession in Newcastle's half, Arsenal were quicly on the front foot and a superb flick from Havertz was beautifully crafted into the path of Merino, who coolly slotted home the Arsenal equaliser.

Then, moments later, Havertz delivered a dangerous cross into the back post where Bukayo Saka was waiting, but Alex Murphy did the job for Saka, inadvertently slicing into his own net.

Havertz may never have had that prolific goalscoring instinct, but he offers much more than that and showed, with two assists, he still has a crucial role to play at the Emirates Stadium.