Mikel Arteta backs Arsenal forward Kai Havertz ahead of Bournemouth clash - 'He needs to keep improving'

Mikel Arteta has spoken out in support of under-pressure striker Kai Havertz ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Havertz arrived at the Emirates in June after completing a £65 million move from Chelsea, but is still yet to score for the Gunners after nine appearances in all competitions.

However, Arteta is optimistic than the Germany international can turn things around after a difficult start to life in north London.

"[We are] trying to help him as much as possible,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.

“He needs to keep improving and with any player, the way he tries and applies himself. 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."

One player who is off the mark this season is Reiss Nelson, as the 23-year-old netted the winner in a League Cup third round tie at Brentford on Wednesday.

Arteta hinted there will be further opportunities for the forward to impress after featuring only four times across all competitions so far this campaign.

"He had a niggle in pre-season and now he is coming back and he is coming into form and we need him,” the Spaniard added.

“He has really good qualities and also with the situation we have with the players in the forward areas, he is really good.

"We need to see him starting as well. We need to rotate players but we need them to be starting as well."

Meanwhile, the Gunners boss will go head-to-head with a familiar face in Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, with the pair both hailing from the Basque region of Spain.

"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," said Arteta.

"It is the passion about football, about the region. They really take care of the academy. They do fantastic work to raise talent and it's not a coincidence a lot of talent comes from that region."

Arteta also revealed that Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka are all doubts ahead of trip to Dorset and have yet to train ahead of the match.

"[Declan Rice] wasn't available. He hasn't trained yet. We have another session so we will have more news today," he explained.

"He [Martinelli] hasn't trained. We want him back but he is not available."

Regarding Saliba he added: "Willy [Saliba] as well has a knock. So we have a few. We have to assess them today and adapt to the situation."

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.