Alan Smith believes Arsenal’s star can outperform Xhaka because of his technical ability.

Alan Smith, a former Arsenal player, believes that summer addition Kai Havertz could be a greater player than the club’s former midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Smith believes Havertz, who joined Arsenal from Premier League rival Chelsea, is a more technical player than Xhaka.

Xhaka left Arsenal during the summer transfer window to join Bayer Leverkusen for a reported cost of €15 million.

In 37 Premier League appearances for Arsenal in 2022-2023, the Switzerland international scored seven goals and registered seven assists.

However, Havertz, who appears to have taken over the Xhaka role for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, is still finding his feet at the North London club.

After starting all four of Arsenal’s Premier League matches this season, the Germany international has failed to score a single goal.

“I’m not saying it will take Havertz a season, but he is just finding his feet in that squad, in that dressing room, and in that first XI,” Smith said (via TBR).

“I think he is a very good player technically, I think he can be a good player for us and I heard Arteta say he wants to be getting himself in the box at the end of things, a bit like Xhaka did last season.”

He went on to say, “I think Havertz can be better than that as he’s got more of an attacking instinct and he is a good finisher when he gets in those positions.”