Mikel Arteta admitted it is ‘inevitable’ that Arsenal will make transfer ‘mistakes’ when asked about the decision to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
The 24-year-old German endured a slow start at the Emirates but has since turned his form around to become a vital player for the Gunners in their title challenge.
Havertz scored twice in a 5-0 victory over his old club Chelsea last time out and will be hoping to add more to his tally when Arsenal face Tottenham on Sunday.
Ahead of the north London derby, Arteta was quizzed about bringing in Havertz and insisted Arsenal will not always get it right when it comes to recruitment.
‘It’s not my decision, it’s our decision,’ Arteta said about Havertz’s arrival at Arsenal. ‘We were super aligned with the club’s vision, and then obviously on the sporting side, we made a recommendation.
‘A lot of people were involved and then you need the ownership to back you as well, and make things happen.
‘We were very convinced that they were characters first, they were players with the right qualities to fit within our model, our club, and sometimes it takes a bit of time, that’s inevitable.
‘Sometimes you’re going to make mistakes, I try to minimise them, and try to at least generate the environment, and everything that the players need to fulfil their potential.’
Meanwhile, Arteta has said that he wants to ‘trick’ the Opta Supercomputer which is current tipping Manchester City to once again beat his side to the Premier League title.
‘I don’t know what to say, hopefully we can trick that computer and make it a bit higher!’ Arteta added when told Arsenal had a 26.6 per cent chance of glory.
‘Maybe it needs to upload the software, we need to help it to upload the software, or give it more tools. Hopefully we can change that!’
Arteta has also hailed Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu and said: ‘I’m really impressed with what he’s done and also prior to that.
‘I knew him when he was in the Australian national team, and when he was in Japan as well, I followed him when he was at Celtic, and he’s always been super clear with a really clear direction and identity of how his teams play, and I love the way his teams play. So, I think he’s been very good.’
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