A new position for Kai Havertz? Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann hints struggling Arsenal star could continue in unlikely defensive role

The 24-year-old playmaker, who moved across London over the summer when leaving Chelsea for the Emirates Stadium, was deployed as a makeshift defender by his country in an international friendly clash with Turkey. Despite operating in an unfamiliar position, Havertz opened the scoring after just five minutes.

It seems unlikely that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will be taking inspiration from fellow coach Julian Nagelsmann any time soon, but Germany’s boss has hinted at persevering with an unexpected experiment. Nagelsmann has said of Havertz: “Kai said he wanted to do it, wanted to try it. I don't see this as a risk for him, but as a very, very big opportunity to play a key role at the Euros. For a first time in an unfamiliar position, he did extremely well and probably was our best player.”

While Die Mannschaft believe they have stumbled across an unlikely solution to their left-back problems, 1990 World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaus has told Sky Deutschland of the tactical tinkering: “It can't be a permanent solution, suddenly letting one of the best German offensive players of recent years play full-back. This is also a slap in the face to those who last played there, even if there were problems on the left side of the defence recently. I was surprised that David Raum wasn't in the starting line-up, especially since Benjamin Henrichs played on the other side, who is not a typical three-man chain player but rather has his strengths in the offensive. The national team can actually already play the three-man chain, as Nagelsmann practised at FC Bayern Munich, with three central defenders. But against Turkey there were two central defenders on the pitch, plus an offensive defender on the right and a player on the left who had previously had nothing to do with a three-man or four-man chain. After Havertz's goal, it initially looked as if Nagelsmann's plan might work, but as a coach I have to think long-term, not just from one game to the next.”

Germany, who are preparing to fill hosting duties at next summer’s European Championship, have another friendly against neighbours Austria to take in on Tuesday. Havertz – who has just one club goal to his name this season - will then return to England, with Arsenal preparing to face Brentford in Premier League action on Saturday.