Why does Arsenal star Kai Havertz wear 29? German star keeps Chelsea number after Gunners transfer

Kai Havertz has confirmed he will continue to wear his iconic number 29 shirt after swapping Chelsea for Arsenal.

The German will wear his new colours for the first time in his unofficial debut as the Gunners face Nurnberg in his native country.

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And Germany is the only stage in which Havertz does not have the number 29 on his back due to international rules.

But the 24-year-old has long shirked the traditional attacking midfield digits at club level.

Arsenal have already filled the number seven, eight, nine, ten and 11 shirts but Havertz was more occupied by the No.29 left vacant by Matteo Guendouzi.

Why does Kai Havertz wear number 29?

Havertz has revealed he wears the lofty digits on his back as a nod to his relationship growing up with his brother, Jan.

“When I was young I always used to play FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer with my brother,” he told the Athletic.

“We always made ourselves in the game. My brother always put number 29 on his shirt.

“When I came to the professional game and [Bayer] Leverkusen asked me what number I wanted to have, I asked them which numbers were free. When they said 29, I said I’d take it because of my brother.”

He added: “Sometimes it’s lucky for me, sometimes not, but I like the number and now I think everybody knows me for it.”

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The £65million signing donned the number at Leverkusen and specifically requested to keep it at Chelsea despite the No.10 being available.

At the time Fikayo Tomori wore the jersey at Stamford Bridge and he even switched to number 14 so Havertz could keep his shirt.

He has now continued the trend at Arsenal, explaining: “So I have it now for many years.

“I chose it when I became a professional in Germany and since then it’s always given me luck. You know when I became a professional I took it because it has some history with my brother.

“We used to take it always when we played video games together. For me, it’s a perfect number and I cannot wait to wear it playing in red again.”

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