So, what do you really think about Kai Havertz’s first season at Arsenal? Over the last few months, the £65 million 2023 recruit has become a really important part of Mikel Arteta’s project.
He’s got the skills to make an impact on the attack — holding the ball up, winning aerial duels, and showing a tremendous work rate. Plus, his versatility makes him an asset for the team. He’s scored 12 goals and made 6 assists as a Gunner, which is pretty good considering he didn’t start off as a striker.
At first, Mikel Arteta believed he could fill Xhaka’s shoes, but the Swiss international’s were too big to fill. Despite struggling to make an impact as an LCM, the former Chelsea man found his footing after trying out as a false 9. Since then, he’s been performing exceptionally well. Undoubtedly, playing out of position contributed to his initial lacklustre performance.
It would be great if Arsenal could come out on top in their final two matches against Manchester United and Everton. With those two Gunner wins, the hope is that Manchester City drops points against either Fulham, Spurs, or West Ham, so Arteta and the lads secure a league triumph.
In the end, regardless of Arsenal’s performance this season, Havertz’s maiden season at the Emirates Stadium was a massive success, and now he has settled into his best role and has learned the strengths of his team-mates, he will be even better next season.
Do you agree?
Sam P
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I agree that Havertz has done very well since moving into the CF position, a definite improvement over Jesus and Nketiah.
Average to poor when played as a midfielder, and the team is so unbalanced.
Based on his performances as a striker, I am nearly convinced that any striker will be a backup, and possibly an eye to the future. For example, Sesko or Gimenez would be good choices.
Gyokeres is fantastic, but I doubt Arteta will pay that fee, and Zirkzee is not an improvement on Jesus or Nketiah; all 3 have embarrassing conversion rates.
If Havertz played as a 9 all through with Partey or Jorginho as 6 and Rice as 8, we should be topping the league by several points now. He would be at a minimum of 20 goals by now.
The priority now should be to reinforce the midfield with a player that can move the ball forward as Partey does in case Partey is leaving since he is too injury-prone.
But we still need a striker for squad depth. Sell all those the manager doesn’t trust.
He has been a success generally. That’s undoubtable now
Harvertz in midfield – Big failure
Harvert as a CF – Success
May be if Arteta had used him in CF role from the beginning, we would likely be clear of Mancity by now. You can see everytime he is midfield, the team looks disjointed and slow and if Jesus didn’t ger injured we might still see Havertz in midfield.
I still don’t feel he was that bad in midfield. He got player of the month for us in November. I feel removing Martinelli and Jesus from the starting 11 helped massively as neither were contributing much.
His performance in Mid wasn’t good for 65 million 300k/week player. Compare our games he played in Midfield and the ones he played at CF. His positioning in attack and his hustle in defense is always good, it just that he makes the mid lethargic and slow.
Most importantly, whichever way, we are winning our games.
That’s my happiness.
I love all the Lads