Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will offer his full “support and confidence” to struggling forward Kai Havertz.
Havertz joined the Gunners over the summer after an underwhelming spell at Chelsea but has yet to shine, failing to register a goal or an assist in six Premier League games this season.
Arteta is confident the Germany international will turn it around, though, and is prepared to give him his full backing.
He said: “[We are] trying to help him as much as possible. Give him the confidence to give him minutes.
“If he doesn’t perform, it’s up to us. He needs to play within the team.
“[We will] try to give him as much support and confidence as we can because that is going to help him for sure.”
Arsenal go to Bournemouth on Saturday looking to maintain their unbeaten league start while also juggling with a congested fixture list that sees them competing in the EFL Cup and Champions League.
“Playing every three days and having to win and compete in different competitions, that is the challenge and we are up for it.,” added Arteta.
“It’s a huge thing and it is an individual one and a collective one. That confidence transmits to each other.
“Playing well and winning matches is the best thing to do. We are in a good moment.”
Arteta will find Andoni Iraola waiting for him in the hosts’ dugout at the Vitality Stadium with the pair both hailing from the Basque region of Spain.
Arteta said: “We know each other really well. We have played together.
“We are privileged to be raised there [in the Basque region] and be educated there. That’s the beauty of football that now we are both managing in the Premier League.”
