Kai Havertz just stole Martin Odegaard’s job

Arsenal avoided a major Champions League upset in their final formality of a game during the league phase, outlasting Kairat Almaty 3-2 to continue on to the knockout stages.

The Gunners had a few positive performances in the victory, but no player stood out more positively to the Arsenal faithful than experienced center forward and playmaker Kai Havertz.

Whereas Martin Odegaard has disappointed time and time again this season as a follow up from a quietly dismal 2024/25 campaign, Havertz has taken Arsenal by storm in his latest appearances since recovering from a serious injury.

Overhated and underrated, Havertz’s footballing IQ and technical quality were missed by the Gunners, and he displayed the full gamut of those qualities by being the main difference maker for Arsenal in the 3-2 win over Kairat.

Havertz had a goal, an assist, and three key passes in just one half of action, and while Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze were also incredible with their playmaking and overall attacking work, there is no question that Havertz was the star of the show.

The German international was missed badly when he left the pitch, as Arsenal were not as dangerous and not in nearly as much control of the game once the 26 year old left the field.

Havertz is playing more and more like a midfielder and genuinely looking more consistent for Arsenal nowadays. Whereas Odegaard has been inconsistent and allergic to creating clear cut chances, Havertz’s service for Viktor Gyokeres and overall intensity of work were far beyond Ode’s. He may have just taken his job without anyone truly noticing it yet.