ARSENAL fans are buzzing about the return of Kai Havertz – but there should be just as much excitement around Riccardo Calafiori’s comeback.
Havertz, 26, caught the eye on Wednesday night with a goal and an assist as the Gunners ran out 3-2 winners over Kairat Almaty.
Given it was the German’s first start for Arsenal in 357 days, it was only natural he grabbed the headlines and the Man of the Match award.
Mikel Arteta has backed Havertz to take Arsenal to a “different level” and he is pushing to start at Leeds on Saturday.
Havertz played in midfield against Kairat but will fancy his chances of leading the line at Elland Road given Viktor Gyokeres’ continued struggles.
Gyokeres scored on Wednesday, however he was still wasteful in front of goal and fluffed countless chances.
The hope is that Havertz can ignite Arsenal’s attack, although the reality is Calafiori could have just as big an impact.
The left-back also made his comeback on Wednesday – starting for the first time since the end of last month after recovering from a calf injury.
Calafiori had much more of a mixed night than Havertz after giving away a penalty in the opening five minutes.
It mattered little in the end, and Arteta would have been most relieved about the fact Havertz and Calafiori got through 45 minutes unscathed before they were taken off at the break.
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Calafiori, like Havertz, will be hoping to start against Leeds this weekend.
He was deployed in the heart of defence on Wednesday, but will move to left-back if he does make the team for Elland Road.
Calafiori has been in fine form this season and he has kept Myles Lewis-Skelly out of the side.
The Italian will bolster Arsenal’s backline – however of greater value will be what he can bring to their attack.
It may sound strange given the Gunners have a wealth of forward options, but Arteta’s team look far less dangerous when Calafiori isn’t at left-back.
He is a unique player in what is otherwise a rigid system.
Calafiori is like a wild horse, popping up everywhere and causing chaos.
Arteta has given him the freedom to roam all over the pitch and the Italian has taken full advantage of that. His touch map looks like a Jackson Pollock painting.
In the Premier League this season, only five players in the Arsenal squad have had more shots than Calafiori.
And no Gunners player with at least 100 Prem minutes under their belt this season has a higher percentage of successful passes in the final third.
Arteta said: “He has this intuition, his capacity to smell danger, to attack spaces that are very difficult for the opponent to defend.
“And he does it in a way that for him is natural, which is always good. So, we encourage him to do that.”
The return of Calafiori is good news for Leandro Trossard, who has missed the Italian.
The pair have formed a great partnership on Arsenal’s left flank and it is no surprise Trossard’s form has dropped during Calafiori’s absence.
Five of Trossard’s seven goals this season have come when Calafiori has been on the pitch.
Similarly, four of the Belgian’s six assists have been when Calafiori is playing behind him.
Earlier this season, Trossard said: “I have a good relationship with him at the moment.
“I know what he can do and where he can pop up in what position. Sometimes I can play a ball blind to him and I know he will be there.
“He pops up everywhere, in the pockets, as a striker. That unpredictability of him can hurt teams.”
Arsenal have missed that “unpredictability” and Arteta will be delighted to get it back at a crucial point in the season.
The Gunners’ lead at the top of the Prem has been cut to four points after three league games without a win.
Arteta’s side need to spark their title charge back into life – and Calafiori has the ability to do just that.
