Against Wolves, due to the unfortunate red card Arsenal received, the team were forced to play with ten men for more than 45 minutes of the encounter. Understandably, this meant more effort was required from the players to stay resolute and come away with a win. Even though Joao Gomes’ red card in the 70th minute levelled the playing field, it still demanded immense effort from the team to not only protect their lead but also to press and progress up the pitch. At full time, one player was particularly shattered, hitting the deck as soon as the referee blew the final whistle.
Kai Havertz, throughout much of this campaign, has faced criticism from all angles, particularly regarding his finishing. Even after Arsenal’s hard-fought win at the weekend, fans were quick to criticise him for failing to convert some good chances, particularly with headed opportunities. While he should undoubtedly be doing better in front of goal, there also needs to be recognition for his work rate off the ball. Before the red card, his pressing forced Jose Sa into awkward situations that Arsenal perhaps should have capitalised on. Furthermore, even after the red card, he worked tirelessly in the press, dropped back into midfield to cover, and continued to make runs to stretch the Wolves backline.
In Arsenal’s last six matches, including the gruelling extra-time battle with United, Havertz has only failed to complete a game once, when he was substituted in the 73rd minute against Dinamo Zagreb. All six of those matches came either three or four days apart, highlighting the sheer volume of minutes he has had to play. This only underlines the pressing need for Arsenal to sign a forward this month. With no one available to ease the workload, Arteta has little choice but to continue relying on him, even if rest is desperately needed.
Whether or not a new forward arrives, Arteta needs to rest Havertz in one of the upcoming fixtures. Alongside the physical fatigue, a rest might also take him out of the firing line after recent struggles in front of goal. With Champions League qualification nearly secured, resting him against Girona might be the best option. Leandro Trossard, who has performed well as a false nine in the past, would be the most obvious choice to replace him.
But what do you think, Gooners? Who would be the ideal choice to take over as our false nine?
BENJAMIN KENNETH
It’s worth noting that while Havertz has never been a prolific finisher, fatigue can partly explain his recent struggles with finishing. The guy works hard for the team and this means by the time chances fall his way, he lacks the sharpness to convert.
Statistically,only Bruno Guimaraes has covered more ground than Havertz in the league. All this comes after he had a busy summer with Germany. This kind of playing load will affect the sharpness of any player as we’ve seen even with Rice who is only now getting back to form.
While it’s a good suggestion to rest him,that will only mean playing someone else there who likely also needs rest! From the way I see it, the best solution is signing another attacker,be it a winger or a striker. We are seriously short in attack.
He can run, he can pass, he can shoot, yet he can’t convert chances because of fatigue?
There might be other reasons and the main one is he is not a striker! Nor has he ever been known for his finesse.
Sadly Onyango, the fatigue point is one of those narrations where one suggest it and others take it and keep repeating it as a fact.
We have to keep in mind that he is a proffessional player playing at an elite level of football and who have trained for that job all his life.
Definitely a possibility and the Rice example is quite on point. Rice has openly stated his difficulties in that respect earlier in the season.
Havertz is certainly a hardworking player …. and I like him for this!!
The use of him as striker is as bad an idea as the use of Partey as a right back. Quite in bad taste moreso when results aren’t positive …. but I’m not the manager.
I’d say Kai was in shock at missing three of the easiest chances he’ll get this season.
😂😂😂
Jax,
I’m thinking of suing you for industrial injury. Your quip has made my sides hurt.
And if they don’t stop hurting soon, I will sue.😂👍
What’s Sue got to do with it?!
He looked completely exhausted at full time and previous matches. Unfortunately he is the only fit attacker we have so he is getting no rest at all.
There is some logic to the lack of sharpness and finishing. His finishing has always been average and being tired makes it even worse.
Points not helping the Havertz misery:
_ Games 3 or 4 days apart are played by all other players good enough to make the cut, not just him.
– There are no brownie points for just hardwork when you’re the designated sole, goal scorer.
– Arteta doesn’t want to try anyone else in place of Havertz. He wants to breath goal scoring ability & form into Havertz. It’s a psychopathic obsession that blinds him from looking objectively at the player.
Regarding your last point do you think Arteta does not know Havertz limitations? He knows that better than any fan.
Havertz is a high profile signing looking at his transfer fee and astronomical wages. If Arteta signs a striker or use someone more capable there such as Martinelli Havertz is going straight to the bench because he failed miserably on the position he was brought to play.
If that happens then a lot is going to be asked regarding the Havertz signing and Arteta is insistent on playing him there to buy more time to avoid questions being asked. If Havertz goes to the bench after two or three years since signing no one will ask questions.
Just to rebut your points
– They may all play every three days but they don’t expend the same amount of energy in games. For instance,Raya has played the most minutes, but he runs the least so you can’t expect him to have the same level of fatigue as someone who runs the most.
– Havertz’s role, at least in Arteta’s system includes pressing and making runs. Him doing all that is part of what makes us good. I don’t think he does for any points. I think he does it because his manager asks him to.
– Who else can Arteta try? Sterling ? Because that’s the only other forward who’s been available over the past couple of weeks.
By the way,I think it’s ridiculous,even abusive, to put labels like psychopathic on someone you probably don’t even know in person.
I don’t believe any of us realize just what it takes to be a professional footballer in the PL today.
They have to be athletes as well as top notch footballers and the strain on their bodies must be phenomenal.
It’s my belief that’s why we’re seeing so many injuries and the type of injuries bear that out.
Think back to the players we’ve signed, who have not experienced the rigours of the PL and have quickly succumbed to injuries :
Califiori, Merino, Timber, even Partey.
They’ve all come from leagues that are not as physical as the PL and MA’s style of play, demands that every player is fit enough to compete at this level.
Havertz could be classed as a prime example of this and, I’m sorry, but his salary and transfer fee has nothing to do with it!!