Lukas Podolski urges Arsenal to make tactical change to Kai Havertz to unlock full potential

Arsenal cult hero Lukas Podolski has had his say on talkSPORT on the long-running debate over Kai Havertz's best position.

The winner of the World Cup Germany The star knows a thing or two about being versatile up front, having excelled throughout his career in a multitude of positions in the final third.

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TO Gunner From 2012 to 2015, the Cologne legend was always at his best with a striker in front, and he feels the same can be said for Havertz.

Despite his winning goal in the Champions League Chelsea In 2021, Havertz often looked out of place in the Blues' forward line, but since his 2023 move to ArsenalIt seemed much more functional in Mikel Arteta's system.

However, Podolski still believes that with someone else ahead of him, Havertz can shine even brighter.

“I don't know if when he was younger his position was the number nine, but for me he's not a classic number nine striker,” he told talkSPORT at an EA event in Cologne.

“He does well, but I think when you put Kai behind a good striker, he has more potential, but let's see, it's just my point of view from the outside.”

Podolski is looking forward to the move as he could see a team he still holds dear to his heart close to their first Premier League title since 2004.

“Let's keep our fingers crossed that this season is good and we win the Premier League and maybe something happens in Europe,” he added.

“I think they are building something great, a good structure, a good atmosphere, but we, as away fans, want something at the end (of the season).”

Arsenal are yet to play in the FA Cup, meaning they still have four trophies in hand as they have progressed in the Carabao Cup.

In the Champions League they currently occupy seventh place in the league stage, which would ensure automatic qualification to the round of 16.

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Meanwhile, in the Premier League, a 2-0 win over manchester united helped them close the gap with the leaders Liverpool to seven points after drawing 3-3 against Newcastle.

So far, Havertz has certainly played his part, with nine goals in 20 games, giving him a goals per game rate of 0.48, his best since arriving in England from Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Arsenal have dropped key points, particularly with recent defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle, and it looks like the cries for an outright number nine in the January transfer window will continue.

Lukas Podolski spoke at an EA FC Futures event, where EA helped fund grassroots development for boys and girls around the world.