Former Arsenal player has one doubt about new signing
In the wake of Kai Havertz’s £65 million transfer to Arsenal from Chelsea, former Gunners player Paul Merson has expressed his belief that the talented forward will enhance the team’s overall performance.
However, Merson has also cautioned that Havertz may face criticism regarding his work rate, drawing parallels to the accusations Mesut Ozil faced during his time at the club.
Paul Merson: "Arsenal should be buzzing with Kai Havertz, he makes them a better team.
The only problem I could see with Havertz is similar to that experienced by Mesut Ozil at Arsenal. If it's not going well, Havertz doesn't look too interested.
That's just down to the way he… pic.twitter.com/IIX57NHtSs
— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) July 4, 2023
Havertz, who joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 with high expectations, has shown glimpses of his immense potential, including scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final. Yet, doubts have been raised about his ability to consistently fulfill his promise.
Mikel Arteta, the driving force behind Arsenal’s pursuit of Havertz, envisions the 24-year-old as a key figure in various positions within the starting lineup for the upcoming season. However, Merson has drawn attention to a potential issue, drawing comparisons to the situation with Ozil, who was ostracized by the Spaniard from the squad four years ago.
“‘The only problem I could see with Havertz is similar to that experienced by Mesut Ozil at Arsenal,” Merson wrote in his column for Sky Sports. “If it’s not going well, Havertz doesn’t look too interested. That’s just down to the way he plays, it’s just the way certain players are, it’s not that he’s not trying.”
🌴⚽️☀️ Perfect preparation pic.twitter.com/5ooGDataYX
— Kai Havertz (@kaihavertz29) July 4, 2023
Merson acknowledges that when Havertz is having a good game, he appears elegant and silky on the field. However, he cautions that if things aren’t going well, critics may accuse him of lacking effort or not running around enough.
Despite this concern, the pundit is adamant that the German will have a positive impact on Arsenal. “That’s his only problem, but make no mistake, he improves Arsenal,” Merson affirmed.
It is worth noting that Mesut Ozil, who arrived at Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 and won three FA Cups during his seven-year tenure, fell out of favor with Arteta, leading to his exclusion from Premier League and Europa League squads at the start of the 2020-21 season.
Six months later, Ozil terminated his contract with Arsenal and joined Fenerbahce.
As the club’s faithful eagerly await the new season, they will be hopeful that Havertz’s undeniable talent can contribute to the team’s success while dispelling any concerns about his work rate. Only time will tell if he can rise above the comparisons to Ozil and establish himself as a pivotal figure at the Emirates Stadium.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
OT: Full agreement has now been reached with Westham and Rice has been given permission to have his medical at Arsenal confirmed by Fabrizio and Ornstein plus many other respectable journalist’s
Rice will officially be a gooner this week! 🔴⚪
I wondered how long it would be before the negative articles started.
So right the half empty so-called fans will vent their views, nothing will ever keep them happy. I believe we have exciting times ahead
Based on Havertz’s games, his high-pressing effort, physicality and versatility are much better than Ozil’s
Therefore, Havertz would likely be more useful as our first defender than Ozil ever was. Arteta could also play Havetz in an AM or RW position, if Havertz fails as a CF
Havertz come to play as a 8 and not as a striker you should have known that by now.
If Havertz replaces Xhaka, Smith-Rowe, Vieira, Trossard or Sambi-Lokonga may have to leave
Gai, The players that would leave here is Viera and SLokonga. Arteta already made it clear ESR is in his plans this season. And it would be unthinkable to allow Trossard leave after his assists and false 9 excellent display last season. We need both ESR and Trossard for squad depth playing UCL. My verdict They STAY Lokonga and Viera LEAVES.
I’d be surprised if Vieira gets shipped out
Here’s an interesting fact GAI, regarding the usefulness of Mesut Ozil :
Before his arrival, The Arsenal hadn’t won anything for season upon season – we then won four fa cups and we always finished in the top four, while playing european football while he was at the club – since he left, we haven’t won anything, we missed out on the top four three times in a row and missed out on european football as well for one season.
Let’s hope Havertz has the same impact, wouldn’t you agree?
We won one FA Cup trophy after Ozil left
No we didn’t, he was still at the club.
I think he didn’t play much in that competition
Not my point though was it?
Correlation-causation fallacy there Ken. Was Ozil the only player signed? Did some younger players also start to kick on at the same time? Did the competition get weaker at points?
I think Ozil had one exceptional season by the numbers (15/16) so I would credit him with that, but aside from that, his numbers aren’t mind blowing and we all watched him – he was weak in too many games, particularly in big games, but also most matches where the opposition was even moderately physical.
Can we at least give the player a chance to play before you pass judgement. Arsenal’s transfers are always damned if they do damned if they don’t.
👍 Olivia, rational comment at last.
Paul Merson is an idiot. He was always an idiot and he still is. Havertz is an excellent player and only 24. He will be brilliant in this side.
@ Ken
We won the 2020 FA cup & Community Shield without Ozil. So ur facts are slightly distorted.
FA cup win 19/20 season
Ozil left in 2021
Was ment for GAI
I think he was mostly at his home in that season
Check how many games he played that season GAI, both PL and FA cup, then come back to discuss my original point, which is still true I believe
Thanks DK, he did get a cup winners medal for that win as well.
Think I see where the writer is coming from, have always stated that Havertz is a mixture of Van Persie and Ozil.
But in my opinion he has a higher rate of succeeding at Arsenal than Ozil and Van Persie.
That may be down to his energy level and sheer versatility.
He still young fo 24years, let hope we get the best out of him. Even ozil on 24 years is good
I suspect we will play like this next season:
…………………………..Jesus
Martinelli…Havertz..Odegaard…Saka.
………………..Rice…………………..Partey.
Gabriel……………..Saliba…………….White.
…………………………Ramadale.
Quantic Dream
The gaffer will never leaves a fit Zinchenko out of his team.
And remember Rice and Partey plays perfectly well in a 4 : 2 : 3 : 1 formation.
Rice plays so for club and country.
That is the best lineup arsenal could have but again as Gunsmoke said a fit Zinchenko will always play whether in form or not.
@Gunsmoke @Naftali
It is my hope Zinchenko will be reassigned as a midfielder next season. Going foward he is great but defensive-wise he is a total liability. Gives me Andre Santos vibes.
Quantic Dream
Am in agreement with you, am a nervous wreck with Zinchenko at left back, he offers nothing defensively.
I am starting to wonder where Ben fits in MA plans now in the first 11 with timber incoming. Partey will have a bench rotating role if he stays, so will Ben or will that be timber. I can’t see any more big money midfield signings coming or required, Lavia would make sense if he is ok for a bit part role this season. The first 11 will be interesting or has MA now got the players he feels he needs to deploy two or three different systems through rotating dependant on opponent.
Dan the Cannon
Ben fits perfectly in the scheme of things, he will rotate with Timber and Saliba.
Presently Ben white is the natural replacement for Saliba.
I totally understand the concerns regarding Havartz, but let’s not forget that Ozil was absolute class for the first two seasons. If Havartz can bring what Ozil brought and maintain those levels we have a great player in our team. I expect, hope, MA will rotate the midfield and tactics depending on the strength of the team we are playing. To play Jorghino instead of Havartz occasionally should not be a surprise.
Most certainly, we have created another Ozil situation. The yellow umbrella will out again, and soon.