Arteta's Bold Havertz Prediction Overlooks Harsh Reality
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta claimed that Kai Havertz's comeback from injury would elevate his squad to "another level," while deliberately overlooking the deficiencies that have consistently plagued the German striker's performances.
"This will provide him with tremendous confidence, happiness and vitality, and the same for the squad," Arteta enthused when discussing his striker's successful return against the modest Kairat Almaty on Wednesday night. "The squad understands Kai's significance to us and how he can enhance our performance and elevate us to another level."
Havertz contributed to all three goals against the team destined to finish last in the Champions League league phase standings. Working effectively alongside Viktor Gyökeres, who found the net first but wasted numerous opportunities, Arsenal's relaxed left-footed player secured a goal himself in his first starting appearance in 357 days.
The 3–2 victory that completed a flawless league phase campaign helped ease the worry and stress generated by Arsenal's three-match winless streak in the Premier League. However, the notion that bringing back a player who was central to the club's previous two unsuccessful title campaigns would magically resolve this season's difficulties was too eagerly embraced. Arteta was the primary culprit.
Arteta Overlooks Issue Havertz Shares With Gyökeres and Jesus
Arteta Overlooks Issue Havertz Shares With Gyökeres and Jesus
Nothing fades faster than memory in football. This was a point Arteta passionately emphasized last year, when Havertz faced disgraceful online harassment for his goal-scoring struggles during an FA Cup defeat to Manchester United just days after the same fans had applauded his name.
"No other field operates like this," the Arsenal manager complained. "Where has the context gone?"
Now Arteta appears to suffer from selective amnesia.
It has been 358 days since Kai Havertz last started for Arsenal
He has a goal and TWO assists after 40 minutes in North London pic.twitter.com/uqMbEAdZTL
Havertz possesses numerous talents, but clinical finishing isn't among them. Since joining Chelsea as their record signing in 2020, the German striker has netted 41 Premier League goals. Considering the caliber and volume of opportunities he's created for himself, an average professional finisher would have been anticipated to score up to 55, according to UnderStat. This significant underachievement is a characteristic he shares with both of Arsenal's alternative center-forward choices.
Gabriel Jesus's consistent failure to meet his xG statistics is remarkable to witness. The ex-Manchester City striker has accumulated a respectable 77 Premier League goals, yet could have reached 104 if he'd converted the chances presented to him. While xG over and under-performance can vary across a single season, both Havertz and Jesus have demonstrated remarkable inefficiency in front of goal.
Gyökeres has suffered from poor finishing luck this campaign—with Wednesday's display against Kairat serving as the most glaring illustration of his dulled instincts. The Swedish player wasted four opportunities that Opta categorizes as "big chances" within 77 minutes.
Arsenal's current struggles center on generating clear scoring opportunities from open play rather than converting them. Last season, Havertz recorded fewer key passes than eight teammates, including improvised center-forward Mikel Merino.
The Gunners missed out on two league titles with Havertz in their lineup, and he isn't the savior that Arteta portrays him to be. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean he lacks unique attributes to contribute.
How Havertz Best Fits Into This Arsenal Team
How Havertz Best Fits Into This Arsenal Team
Discussion about Havertz's optimal position has persisted for years. "I was becoming frustrated with people questioning me about this," he said with forced composure during his final Chelsea campaign. "I can confirm I'm not a conventional No. 9." That statement rings true.
Arteta deployed Havertz in midfield next to Eberechi Eze with Christian Nørgaard serving as the defensive anchor against Kairat. Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi are certain starters in any important fixture for Arsenal, leaving only Martin Ødegaard's attacking midfield position available to the German.
Ødegaard has faced his own challenges this season—primarily due to inconsistent availability caused by recurring fitness problems—but Havertz's finest Arsenal displays have occurred when partnering his captain as dual false-nines.
This approach completely confused Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool on multiple occasions, consistently luring the center-back duo of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté into dangerous territory before darting past them.
"He's an exceptional player," Arteta commented about Havertz, "in the spaces he can fill and how he connects with all teammates. He's someone who truly grasps our objectives, handles pressure effectively and meets various requirements."
Havertz brings distinct qualities to Arsenal, but whether he can single-handedly lift the Premier League and Champions League leaders to a higher plane remains questionable.