Arsenal's decision to spend big on Kai Havertz last summer raised eyebrows.
The German looked bereft of confidence during his time at Chelsea and the Blues must have jumped at the chance to cash in on the versatile forward. For the Gunners, the idea was for Havertz to play in central midfield alongside skipper Martin Odegaard and fellow summer arrival Declan Rice.
He wasn't exactly a like-for-like replacement for the departing Granit Xhaka, the Swiss star returning to the Bundesliga and proving instrumental for champions Bayer Leverkusen, but there was method to the madness. For all of Havertz's shortcomings, he works hard off the ball and is a master of finding space in tight areas, which for a central midfielder is important.
After all, Havertz, in theory, was to be the one to link the midfield and attack in a similar way to Xhaka last season. And yet, in reality, Havertz again looked a square peg in a round hole. The player himself may be clear that his best position is in the number eight role but it just didn't look right for both player and club.
Since the turn of the year, though, Havertz has featured far more frequently as the leading frontman in Mikel Arteta's favoured 4-3-3 setup... and it's here where the player has looked his best. While Havertz may feel he is a midfielder by trade, the goals, assists and general improvements to his performances suggest otherwise.
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Havertz has 12 goals and six assists for Arteta's title chasing Arsenal side this season. Of those 12 goals, seven have come across nine league starts as a striker. Five of his six assists have come with the Germany international spearheading the offensive. Sorry Kai, but it's time to accept that you're a striker.
While it may not have suited his style at Chelsea - though in truth, few could succeed in such testing surroundings - Havertz's skillset suits Arsenal's attack. The onus is for the striker to drift across the frontline and drop deep in search of possession, opening up space to be maximised by the wingers at Arteta's disposal.
Kai Havertz celebrates scoring against Spurs (Getty Images)What's key with Havertz is that he offers the additional physical threat on the frontline that teammate Gabriel Jesus is unable to provide. Granted, the latter is a hard worker off the ball, and his willingness to pull to the flanks benefits the widemen, yet standing at 6ft 4in; Havertz offers the height that allows Arsenal to go direct if needs must.
It's no surprise, then, that the former Chelsea and Leverkusen man has won more aerial duels (92) than any Arsenal player in the Premier League this season.
With all 12 goals being scored in the opposition box, Havertz offers all the qualities of a number nine that has enabled Arsenal to maintain their push for glory.
Just as it looked as though their season would peter out following a run of one win in seven over the festive period, the redeployment of Havertz, combined with their winter break, gave Arsenal the necessary shot in the arm that means they sit top of the Premier League table with three games to play, albeit having played one more match than title rivals Manchester City.
WhoScored's team of the month for April features Kai Havertz in attack (WhoScored)Granted, Arsenal may yet look to sign a new striker in the off-season but for the time being, Havertz's role change has had the desired effect.
Back-to-back starring London Derby displays has certainly propelled the big money summer signing into the limelight and after his early Arsenal career struggles, it's starting to look like money well spent for the former Chelsea flop.
As the old saying goes: 'One man's trash is another man's treasure'.
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