Could Mikel Arteta make Marcus Rashford Arsenal's Kai Havertz 2.0?

Arsenal has been linked with Manchester United's Marcus Rashford as the striker endured a tough 2023/24 campaign, but could Mikel Arteta work his magic with the England international in a similar way to Kai Havertz?

When Arsenal signed Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz, most weren't sure exactly why, given the German international's trials and tribulations with the Blues.

Havertz, in his three seasons for Chelsea, had 91 league appearances, and scored just 19 goals and had seven assists. Many thought the league was too much for him...then came his move to Arsenal.

While yes, it took Kai a little while to get up to speed, once he did, the goals and assists followed. In his first year in north London, Havertz played 37 times in the league, and scored 13 goals and grabbed seven assists. In one year under Arteta, Havertz easily surpassed his best return as a Chelsea player.

Now we get to Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford. Could Arteta do something similar with the United forward on the team's radar?

"It is reported that Rashford has met with Mikel Arteta in recent week about a possible move to Arsenal," Football London writes. "It comes after he was left out of Gareth Southgate's provisional England squad for this summer's Euro 2024 tournament."

Having managed just seven goals from his 33 league appearances and a total of eight goals in all competitions, it was a tough season for Rashford in what was a poor United side. That is a far cry from his 17 league goals in 2022/23 and an overall total of 30 in 56 games in all competitions.

Could he be looking for a change of scenery with Arsenal looking like title challengers for the foreseeable future and United being middle of the pack? Possibly.

It is also worth mentioning that it would be hard to envision United selling to a direct rival in Arsenal, and if a move were to be made, it would be a substantial fee the Gunners would need to part with.

But they would be getting a player with proven Premier League experience and when in form, could be seen as a top striker in the Premier League.

While it doesn't feel like a move for Rashford is on the cards, and with some fans wanting the club to stay away given his poor season just remember one thing - Arteta turned around Havertz's career, there's nothing to suggest he couldn't do the same with Rashford.