Pundit Clinton Morrison has criticised Kai Havertz for his missed penalty during the shoot-out that saw Manchester United eliminate Arsenal from the FA Cup. The Gunners, who played with a numerical advantage for over an hour, were unable to secure a decisive goal, despite dominating large portions of the game. Havertz, in particular, had a night to forget, missing two clear-cut chances before failing to convert his penalty in the decisive shoot-out.
Arsenal’s inability to capitalise on their opportunities highlights a glaring issue in their squad—one that many believe stems from not signing a clinical striker. While there is still time to address this in the current transfer window, Havertz’s poor display has only amplified the urgency for reinforcements in the attacking department. Morrison didn’t hold back in his assessment of Havertz’s penalty, expressing frustration at the German’s lack of conviction in the crucial moment.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Morrison remarked: “It was a little stutter from Havertz. It wasn’t the best penalty. He hit it with no conviction. He is paid to take on those pressure moments, but he failed today.” These comments underline the growing concern surrounding Havertz’s performances and his ability to deliver under pressure.
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s reliance on their current attacking options now seems increasingly questionable, particularly after a match where even Gabriel Martinelli struggled to make an impact. The failure of multiple forwards to rise to the occasion has left fans and analysts wondering whether the team can truly compete without significant upgrades in attack.
For Havertz, this was a day to forget. His struggles in front of goal and his missed penalty have further dented the confidence of supporters, who now see the decision to persist with him as an expensive gamble that isn’t paying off. Arsenal’s inability to convert their dominance into goals, especially with a man advantage, has cost them dearly, and the need for fresh attacking talent has never been more apparent.
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I’m sorry but Chelsea fans did warn us about Kai. He has his highs but will always have his lows too. Been a rather useless forward for large portions of this season, can’t crack it in midfield (though still may even be better than merino honestly). I think this has to go down as a buy that should never have happened and the gamble is not worth it. The worst part is that this decline in Havertz was painfully predictable and many of us begged the club not to make decisions over the summer based off of Havertz’s temporarily end of season form. He was never going to ba able to carry the CF position for us all season. Ands seems he can’t even do it for a couple months honestly. I’d have way less negative things to say if his price tag wasn’t so ridiculous. I know he didnt decide this, but it’s also just reality that he did cost 65mil and that cant just be ignored. Especially when he is possibly the highest earner at the club.
Havertz is a utility player at best .
That’s front 3 today is one of the weakest attacking trios I’ve seen in a while ,against the bigger teams we are are really going to struggle going forward .
Odegaard as well for all the fancy turns and flicks it looks like he’s trending in treacle when he’s running ,and why does he have to take every free kick as he ever scored a direct one for us ,should never have took that penalty either ,doing about 5 stutters before he hit it ,pathetic.
Haverz was a disaster today.
I feel sorry for Kai Havertz; I felt the same for Nicola Pepe.
Can we please stop signing players without the basic skills and personal character to perform at the highest level at the club?
I am starting to worry about Califiori and Merino too.
Kai Havertz can’t be guilty of everything that’s gone wrong with us. Whether we think it’s MA’s problem, that’s something else. One thing for sure, the performance issues we have now are no doubt a management issue and as to what level this is, must be something internally known. And it’s not even financial at all despite what we are sometimes told. Can’t be so obvious out here in the streets and there’s no clue in-house!!
And at this rate, I’m preparing myself for a massive heartbreak when soon Saliba inevitably thinks his future and talents are best respected at Real Madrid or something like that ….. this is coming!!
Arteta should leave ,a good coach should know we need a clinical finisher . Edu was right to.leave if Arteta continues with his stubbornness of not seeing that we need striker.
With this squad we can’t win a spoon if we don’t add quality to the team
There Is no process to trust. Two straight loss at home
So people are blaming Havertz yet Odegaard missed a penalty in normal time which would have won us the game not forgetting that he has just been a passenger in about the last 5 games.
Arsenal are not ready to compete for anything this season, our attack is toothless. The opposition have one simple plan park the bus, hold as long as possible will will gift them something. Saka was really a one man army covering all the deficiencies of our forwards that it borders on criminal that we have nothing to break down opponents plus this our annoying slow play which plays into the oppositions hand. We’ve been painful to watch since November. we need forwards martinelli and Sterling aren’t taking us any where. Sorry for the rant our play is too annoying for me
We need forwards saka is the best attacer we have. We are not going anywhere with the rest
Too sluggish a player. Should be shown the way out
I’m sorry but Chelsea fans did warn us about Kai. He has his highs but will always have his lows too. Been a rather useless forward for large portions of this season, can’t crack it in midfield (though still may even be better than merino honestly). I think this has to go down as a buy that should never have happened and the gamble is not worth it. The worst part is that this decline in Havertz was painfully predictable and many of us begged the club not to make decisions over the summer based off of Havertz’s temporarily end of season form. He was never going to ba able to carry the CF position for us all season. Ands seems he can’t even do it for a couple months honestly. I’d have way less negative things to say if his price tag wasn’t so ridiculous. I know he didnt decide this, but it’s also just reality that he did cost 65mil and that cant just be ignored. Especially when he is possibly the highest earner at the club.
Havertz is a utility player at best .
That’s front 3 today is one of the weakest attacking trios I’ve seen in a while ,against the bigger teams we are are really going to struggle going forward .
Odegaard as well for all the fancy turns and flicks it looks like he’s trending in treacle when he’s running ,and why does he have to take every free kick as he ever scored a direct one for us ,should never have took that penalty either ,doing about 5 stutters before he hit it ,pathetic.
Haverz was a disaster today.
I feel sorry for Kai Havertz; I felt the same for Nicola Pepe.
Can we please stop signing players without the basic skills and personal character to perform at the highest level at the club?
I am starting to worry about Califiori and Merino too.
Kai Havertz can’t be guilty of everything that’s gone wrong with us. Whether we think it’s MA’s problem, that’s something else. One thing for sure, the performance issues we have now are no doubt a management issue and as to what level this is, must be something internally known. And it’s not even financial at all despite what we are sometimes told. Can’t be so obvious out here in the streets and there’s no clue in-house!!
And at this rate, I’m preparing myself for a massive heartbreak when soon Saliba inevitably thinks his future and talents are best respected at Real Madrid or something like that ….. this is coming!!
Arteta should leave ,a good coach should know we need a clinical finisher . Edu was right to.leave if Arteta continues with his stubbornness of not seeing that we need striker.
With this squad we can’t win a spoon if we don’t add quality to the team
There Is no process to trust. Two straight loss at home
So people are blaming Havertz yet Odegaard missed a penalty in normal time which would have won us the game not forgetting that he has just been a passenger in about the last 5 games.
Arsenal are not ready to compete for anything this season, our attack is toothless. The opposition have one simple plan park the bus, hold as long as possible will will gift them something. Saka was really a one man army covering all the deficiencies of our forwards that it borders on criminal that we have nothing to break down opponents plus this our annoying slow play which plays into the oppositions hand. We’ve been painful to watch since November. we need forwards martinelli and Sterling aren’t taking us any where. Sorry for the rant our play is too annoying for me
We need forwards saka is the best attacer we have. We are not going anywhere with the rest
Too sluggish a player. Should be shown the way out