The German is chasing a record eighth-straight game on the scoresheet at the Emirates, having impressed toward the end of his debut campaign in north London after a £65million move from Chelsea.
Havertz won over many of his doubters with his form at the end of the 2023-24 season, as the Gunners came within two points of lifting their first top-flight title in 20 years.
But pundits - and many among the fan base - still believed the club needed to sign an out-and-out striker in order to get their hands on major silverware. Shearer, who admitted he was one of the naysayers, conceded that Havertz's performances and goal return has indicated he might have been the missing piece of the jigsaw all along.
'I've been really impressed with him this season. Not only because of his goal involvements but the way he's led the line.' The Premier League's all-time leading scorer said on Amazon Prime Sport ahead of the Gunners Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Kai Havertz has been one of Arsenal's standout performers this season and has scored six times in 11 games in all competitions
'At times Arsenal have been under pressure and they've needed someone to win a foul or bring one his teammates into the game and lead the line which is maybe not something we associated with him in the past.'
He added: 'He's more the modern centre forward. I'm not saying that he doesn't come deep and doesn't want to get on the ball and when he does that he's very good at that. But he still needs people running in behind and they're doing that now.
'I was one of the ones in the summer saying that Arsenal needed a centre forward to a win the Premier League or the Champions League but at the minute he's actually proving me wrong. He's filling that role and doing a splendid job.'
The 24-year-old became just the second player to score in seven successive home games at the Emirates, following on from Robin van Persie who managed it all the way back in the 2011-12 season, when he netted against Southampton earlier this month.
The German has scored six times in 11 appearances in all competitions this term as Arteta's side look to end their trophy drought.