Kai Havertz has faced considerable criticism since being used as the striker for Arsenal, a role that is not even his natural position. After some time out of place in the squad, Havertz has taken on the responsibility of playing as the false nine since last season. In this role, he is tasked with scoring the goals that the team needs, which naturally places a lot of pressure on him.
The criticism has been compounded by his occasional misses of relatively simple chances, which has led to a constant call for Arsenal to sign a new striker. However, it should be noted that Arsenal already have a striker in their ranks, Gabriel Jesus, who has spent more of his career as a centre-forward than Havertz has. Jesus was brought in from Manchester City to help Arsenal find the back of the net.
One of the key reasons Havertz has been tasked with playing the number nine role for Arsenal is that Jesus has failed to deliver in that position consistently. Despite his talent, Jesus has struggled to find his best form, and this has left Arsenal with little choice but to experiment with Havertz as a forward. While Havertz may not be ideally suited to the role, he has stepped up and is attempting to help the team where necessary, even if it’s not his most natural position.
The question, however, should shift from blaming Havertz to scrutinising the performances of Jesus. While Havertz may miss chances, Jesus has been in a prolonged slump, which has hurt the team’s attacking output. Signing a new striker in the summer would certainly be beneficial for Arsenal, but the focus of criticism should now be on Jesus, not on Havertz.
Havertz is simply filling in, while Jesus is the striker who has failed to deliver the goals Arsenal need. Given his struggles, it might be time for Arsenal to reconsider their reliance on him and seek a more consistent goal-scorer in the summer.
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I agree Jesus whilst being a threat isn’t a natural finisher,much the same as havertz.But Jesus gets injured a lot,so I would keep Havertz.I would also unload the other injury prone players,eg Tomyatsue,and loan players must be sold.Then bring in Zubimendi,Isaak andNico Williams,and Ollie Watkins.
Oldie is 29 already by the summer. As for Jesus, he needs to move to MSL or any league that is not too physically demanding for his health sake. This coming summer should also see the end of some players in white and red. The likes of Tomiyasu, Jesus, Tieneyand Partey if a good replacement comes.
Arteta will get him fit and then keep him match ready but I doubt he will so much game time. The bid for Watkins was basically to come to the acceptance jesus would eventually leave or be a squad option as another striker would be signed also in the summer.
He could become a squad member but with it being his other knee this time, long term this won’t be good for him .
He needs a less intense League to prolong his career.
It is sad , because ever since that world Cup its just been injury issues for him.
The criticism he receives is unfair, I think he is the only player in pl history that when he returns from injury – the pundits don’t acknowledge he isn’t game ready, a little rusty , hasn’t got the momentum – they literally expect him to hit the ground running and when he doesn’t its just criticism
The Watkins deal was not real
Jesus should be sold, he was never a striker, not with City, not with Brazil, not with Arsenal.
Aside from his injuries, he struggled to score even when fit. We don’t need a striker all over the pitch, dropping deep to start our buildup, we need a striker ready to seize an opportunity and put the ball in the net with some consistency.
I disagree… he scored plenty of goals when he first arrived and then had a bad injury around the World Cup… never been the same since
Sadly I do believe the time is right to sell him (if we can) as his injury record is just too consistent so he rarely gets a long enough run of games to get match fit
All change this summer
With his ACL injury we will not be able to put him in the market and he will not be included in the next campaign squad, so his situation will probably be resolve in the next winter(aprox. 1 year).
Two main objectives for this summer should be clearing out the injury prone/fringe players and addressing our main need in ST, CAM and CM. We need to get rid of Jesus, Tomiyasu, Zinchecko, viera and Nelson. Most of them are on higher wages and they barely contribute much. Their stock keeps going down and its better to sale them now when they still have value. Otherwise they will become worthless like Tierney,