"Kai Havertz is no Harry Kane", says German 1998 Bundesliga champion

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Olaf Marschall has backed countryman Kai Havertz to regain his place in Arsenal’s attack when he returns from injury.

Havertz is currently nursing a knee prboblem after already missing three months through injury after doing his hamstring last term.

Former Germany international Marschall’s 21 goals in the Bundesliga helped Kaiserslautern to a shock league title in 1998.

Asked whether he can make life hard for Viktor Gyokeres and go back to being the Gunners’ focal point in attack, he told Capital Football: “Why not? He won’t want to deliberately sit on the bench.

“He’ll want to regain his place when he returns from injury and then we will know more about who wins the race.

“But that’s always the case at bigger clubs, when someone sustains an injury, the board reacts to add a second and third striker to increase competition. It’s nothing new for Havertz.”

Havertz’s return of 13 Premier League goals in 2023/24 is the highest he’s been able to supply so far.

But there’s so much more to his game than just goals, as the Bayer Leverkusen one-timer links up the play and creates chances for those around him by drawing defenders out.

Ex-Germany international Marschall, who was one of the finest Bundesliga strikers in the late 90s, added: “To say he’s underrated is a bit exaggerated when you play for Arsenal.

“That in itself speaks volumes. Not everyone can be in the spotlight, let’s put it that way.

“You have the top stars and then those behind them.

“I don’t know how he sees himself privately and whether he craves the limelight or not. It’s his mentality and public perception.”

“And I am not sure he’s an out-and-out number 9, he’s no classic centre-forward like Kane.

"He’s more of a second striker or a number 10.

“When he’s fit he’s very good which explains why he’s at Arsenal.”