After watching Arsenal’s 3–2 Premier League defeat to Manchester United, one thing became painfully clear: something is missing from Mikel Arteta’s side.
Despite the wealth of attacking talent at his disposal, Arsenal continue to struggle when it comes to creating clear chances in open play. The structure is there, the movement is often good, but too frequently the final pass never arrives.
That ongoing issue has left many fans looking back fondly at a time when Arsenal had a true line-breaker in midfield — a player capable of unlocking stubborn defences with a single touch.
Love him or loathe him, Mesut Özil was exactly that.
During his peak years in north London, Özil was rarely far from the action, constantly threading passes through defensive lines and creating opportunities that others simply couldn’t see. While his later seasons at the club divided opinion, his playmaking influence was undeniable — and it’s a type of influence Arsenal have struggled to replace ever since.
But Arteta may have stumbled upon something familiar within his current squad.
One Sentence to Decide: Mesut Özil — Overrated or Underrated?
That debate still rages among Arsenal supporters.
Some remember moments of pure magic, like his unforgettable Champions League hat-trick against Ludogorets. Others point to inconsistency and unfulfilled potential during his later years.
Yet few would deny that, at his best, Özil was one of the most naturally gifted creators the Premier League has seen.
Kai Havertz Can Live Out His Mesut Özil Dream at Arsenal
Kai Havertz raised eyebrows when he returned from injury and contributed to three goals against Kairat Almaty — but it wasn’t just the output that caught attention.
It was the role.
Arteta deployed the German in attacking midfield, a position Havertz has long been associated with and one he has openly worked towards throughout his career.
Back in 2019, UEFA relayed a revealing quote from Havertz — one Arsenal fans may find particularly intriguing.
“Mesut Özil is my role model.
I think our playing styles are similar, and that’s why I’m trying to learn as much from his game as I can.”
Against Kairat Almaty, Havertz played with a swagger reminiscent of Özil in his prime — driving through midfield, combining sharply, and delivering intricate passes that left defenders scrambling.
Arsenal Once Saw Havertz as Özil’s Successor
Interestingly, Arsenal’s interest in Havertz dates back well before his move to north London. In 2019, Calcio Mercato reported that the club viewed him as a potential long-term replacement for Özil during his Bayer Leverkusen days.
Fast forward several years, and Havertz’s brief but eye-catching cameo in the number ten role felt like a moment of footballing symmetry — as if a long-held idea was finally coming to life.
Some things, it seems, are meant to be.
If Havertz can continue to grow in that role, Arsenal may have quietly rediscovered the creative spark they’ve been missing — and the comparisons to Mesut Özil may only just be beginning.
