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Mikel Arteta felt the negativity around Kai Havertz's arrival at Arsenal last summer from Chelsea was unfair. The reaction only was heightened by some below-par performances early in the season.

Yet, in the absence of a centre forward many Arsenal fans believe should be an essential aspect of the club's summer recruitment, the Germany forward could turn out to be a key part of the Gunners' drive for honours.

He cannot be a number nine in the conventional sense like Erling Haaland, who pins defenders back with his strength. But his intelligence can create pockets of space in dangerous areas that can be exploited, by him or team-mates. His goal against Liverpool in Philadelphia was an example of that.

The intriguing bit will be whether he is used as a false nine or in a deeper role, which allows Gabriel Jesus to play more centrally.

As ever with Havertz, opinions are polarised. But to those who have reacted negatively to his performances in the United States, Arteta offered a reminder that the former Chelsea man had only had four training sessions and still made an impact.