Does the form of this duo mean a spell on the bench for Kai Havertz?
After witnessing Gabriel Jesus score a hattrick in the EFL cup last Wednesday, gooners were convinced that he should be given a run of games in the side to prove whether he can sustain that vein of form.
In the very next game against the same opponent coincidentally, Gabriel Jesus got this chance and boy did he take it. He added to his hat trick against Palace with a brace scored inside the first 15 minutes of a pulsating encounter that eventually ended in a 5-1 win in our favour.
To accommodate Jesus in the starting lineup, Arteta dropped Kai Havertz back into midfield. Perhaps another reason for the German’s start in midfield was due to the rest given to Declan Rice after coming off with an issue against Everton last week.
The German didn’t perform too badly and even got himself on the scoresheet but his deficiencies in that midfield position were laid bare at times, due to how our midfield got overrun at certain periods when he was on the pitch. This ended when Declan Rice was introduced in the 58th minute for Havertz as the Englishman brought more control to our midfield, capping it off with a goal of his own in the latter stages of the game.
His impressive all round performance was reflected in the stats as well. Along with his goal, he also made 1 assist, had 30 touches, 2 recoveries, a 90% passing accuracy and 2/2 ground duels won in just the 32 minutes that he was on the field.
This performance and the return of peak Gabriel Jesus surely means that a run on the bench will be the faith of Kai Havertz over the next few games. He probably should, but I don’t think Arteta will keep him out the side for that long and this is largely because of his Aerial capabilities.
He provides a very good out ball when we decide to play long when under pressure, whether he’s in attack or midfield. With that said however I think he should be benched regardless due to the current form Rice and Jesus are showing.
BENJAMIN KENNETH.
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No, unless Merino or Rice can replace Havertz as the main receiver of Raya’s long passes
@Gai kindly get your facts right most of Raya’s long ball against CPalace didn’t fall to Havertz but rather the right wing of Arsenal attack. It’ would be unthinkable for a CF to scored 5 goals in two games and you don’t give him a chance in the third match. How else do you intend to motivate Jesus? He has to keep playing while the coach finds a way to give Havertz some minutes. When a CF delivers he has to play, no sentiments.
OT
Even Chelsea haven’t had it their own way today at Everton and another Manchester club suffering as well 😁
It’s not often I want Spurs to win, but I’d love them to give us an early Christmas present
Sue,
Be warned, don’t drive through Old Trafford. Apparently you lose three points if you do.🤣😂😉👍
Sue,
Humbug,
Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool
We really missed a big opportunity in the last few games, Liverpool look very good.
They seem to have the attitude, whatever you score, we’ll double it.
Now that Chelsea could not get a goal against Everton…. What does that tells us about Everton…. Could it be that Chelsea was also playing side pass and back pass all through the match.
65M + 280k p/w on the bench??? Nah, Arteta would rather Arsenal loose all games and be relegated than admit he gambled club money and lost
Ridiculous remark even though I think you’ve got your tongue firmly in your……..cheek😊
Haverz has not flourished in the Xhaka role in the past. He isn’t in my best midfielder. And Jesus may burst hus own bubble yet. Jesus as our striker, lessons our attacking options and it will be interesting to see, if he can do something he hasn’t been able to do in his whole career so far. Play as a striker and lead the line.
Xhaka was mainly rubbish over his 7 years, one decent season and fans act like he reinvented and owned the left #8
Rice was great in the left #8 post Dubai, but this season has been underwhelming (being kind)
Rice killer corner deliver means he must play, but as his natural #6
Merino was brought in to strengthen the left side as an #8, so we have depth
so great to have depth and options in the Arteta 4-3-3
#9 = Havertz and Jesus
left #8 = Rice, Merino and Havertz
#6 = Partey, Jorginho, Rice, Merino
right #8 = Odegaard, Nwaneri
sounds great when all fit and on good form – sadly not had that so far this season
Reggie, do you think Havertz and Jesus could play the old “good big’ n, good little’n” pairing?
Nah! Wouldn’t work in our formation as it stands.
Agree.
SS, try £60m plus £5m add on and £235k pw.
As for the rest of your post, that must be some heavy s..t you’re smoking.
And some here said Havertz is on £300k…..
Herr Drier,
You say that Havertz is only on £235k pw.
That’s outrageous, we must have a whipp round immediately, the poor man must be struggling to make ends meet on the poultry salary.
Truly outrageous. 😉
Poultry salary? That’s chickenfeed ! B’boom!
To answer the headline, no, as I thought they played well together.
Havertz unbalances the midfield when he gets shoehorned into that CM position.
It’s ok to bench him if he is not producing, it should be the way.
Now Havertz can compete with Jesus for starts, even sub between the 2 during matches.
Rather see Nwanarei get chances playing behind Odegaard and Havertz rotating with Jesus.
Otherwise forcing Havertz into the lineup as a false 9, or LCM, or a 10 just so hplays is not best for the club.
Rice is far far better midfielder than Havertz, not even close. Rather see Merino subbed into LCM over Havertz.
Odegaard far more creative than Havertz, and rather see Nwanarei get chances as a sub than Havertz.
So that leaves Havertz and Jesus competing for striker position. Jesus is on form now, Havertz was off the boil as striker, so Havertz has to wait and earn chances/starts.
No one should be an automatic starter, should earn your starts not gifted them.
Agree!!!
What utter nonsense lol.
Good point.
No-one is being gifted a spot in the team. Havertz gives a different dynamic to the team when we are attacking than do some of our other players.. He actually played well at the weekend particularly in attacking phases of the game.
Rice is generally a better all round midfielder but can also be nullified when we are in attack.
Depends if Jesus maintains this form.
Traditionally, Jesus does well at Christmas, but his star fades at Easter.
PS Thought it best to avoid anything too graphic like “… but he’s nailed on for a tough time at Easter”. 👀😬
Underrated comment 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂
I have a solution play them both…. 3-2-3-2 in some games…
Raya
Timber. Saliba. Gabby
Partey. Rice
SAKA. Ode. Martinelle
Jesus. Havaretz
A whole chunk of the comments have disappeared😱
They’re back now.
Both Gabriel Jesus and havertz are not good enough for Arsenal don’t be carried away by the 5 goals in two matches….Arsenal need quality striker and perfect replacement for Saka if we are to compete with Liverpool in the title race ,,,depending on havertz or Gabriel Jesus to lead the the line for us to win the the league this season is laughable