Arsenal are keeping tabs on Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz, according to Calciomercato.com.

The Italian website speculates that the Gunners’ interest in the 19-year-old is in view to replacing Mesut Ozil at the club.

The German playmaker did not travel to Belarus for the 1-0 defeat to BATE Borisov last night in the Europa League.

Asked about Ozil’s absence after the game, manager Unai Emery wouldn’t be drawn into why the 30-year-old was omitted from the team:

“Every player is OK to play. Today those that were here, we can win with them and we deserved that.  Last week we won and we played with the same players. For me today there was no difference to the performance.”

“We deserved to win but didn’t get the result. They were very organised defensively and they found the moment in the game. It’s not for one player or another. We can win with every player and lose with the same players.”

Havertz, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to the Emirates before. Back in October, it was reported that head of recruitment Sven Mislintat was keen on snapping up the teenager.

Despite the scout having since left the club, it seems the Gunners remain interested in signing the player.

Havertz, who is also reportedly a target for Liverpool and Manchester United, has been in superb form for Leverkusen having scored 11 goals and contributed six assists in 28 matches this campaign.