“That’s certainly one of the reasons” – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta explains why he signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea

Mikel Arteta has said that Kai Havertz's UEFA Champions League experience at Chelsea was a major factor behind Arsenal making a move for him in the summer.

Arsenal raised a few eyebrows when they spent £65 million on Havertz — a player who, despite playing as a center-forward, scored nine goals in 47 games last season. He didn't have the best start to life in north London, failing to impress in his first few games.

Arteta has used him as a No. 8 in a three-man midfield, which is a new position for the Germany international. Before this, he played as a No. 9, an attacking midfielder, and even as a winger during his time at Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea.

Havertz, however, has found a bit of form in recent weeks, scoring and assisting one goal in each of the past three Premier League games. He has also started in both of his team's UEFA Champions League group-stage games so far.

Arsenal beat PSV Eindhoven in their opening group-stage game before losing 2-1 to RC Lens. They are now set to take on Sevilla on Tuesday (24 October) at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Before the game against Los Nervionenses, Arteta was asked whether Havertz's Champions League experience was one of the reasons behind signing. The Spaniard said, via Football.London:

"Well that’s certainly one of the reasons. His quality and the number of things he’s done already in his career. And then to improve the starting XI."

Havertz scored six goals and provided two assists in 39 UEFA Champions League games before his move to the Emirates. He notably scored the only goal of the 2020-21 Champions League final when Chelsea beat Manchester City.

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Arsenal and Chelsea played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Premier League

Kai Havertz, for the second game running, was left out of the starting XI when Arsenal faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 21 October.

The Blues scored two goals within the first 50 minutes of the game through Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling and. Declan Rice halved the deficit with 77 minutes on the clock by capitalizing on a stray pass from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Havertz entered the fray in the very next minute, replacing Martin Odegaard. Although it wasn't a headline-grabbing play, the 24-year-old German played a simple pass to Bukayo Saka down the right flank.

The Englishman's cross was turned in at the far post by Leandro Trossard to secure a point in west London. The Gunners are still unbeaten in the league this season, winning six and drawing three of their nine matches so far. Chelsea, meanwhile, sit in 10th with 12 points.