TalkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara has said that Arsenal forward Kai Havertz played badly against Manchester City in the FA Community Shield on Sunday.
The former Tottenham Hotspur player has said on talkSPORT (7:05pm, August 6, 2023) that Arsenal forward Kai Havertz had a “shocker” against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in the FA Community Shield.
O’Hara believes that Havertz, who joined Arsenal from London and Premier League rivals Chelsea in the summer transfer window, was poor in his role upfront.
Arsenal did not have star striker Gabriel Jesus to call upon because of the injury to the Brazil international
Jamie O’Hara criticises Arsenal forward Kai Havertz vs Manchester City
Manager Mikel Arteta decided to deploy Havertz upfront against City.
The 24-year-old did not look particularly threatening against the Citizens
While Havertz’s hold-up play was impressive and he did help out defensively, he failed to take two very good chances and did not have the finishing touch needed.
O’Hara said: “Kai Havertz had a bit of a shocker, didn’t he? Arsenal fans, can you rely on him to take you to a title?”
We do not think that Kai Havertz had a “shocker” against Manchester City, but it was not the best of performances from the Arsenal forward.
Havertz did play as a striker for Chelsea last season.
It did not work out.l
The Germany international is not a natural striker.l
Yes, Havertz could play as a false nine, but we believe that he is better off playing as a number 10 or in an attacking role out wide.
The problem with Arsenal is that the Gunners are well-stocked in the attacking department.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard are pretty much guaranteed their places in the team when they are in form.
Gabriel Jesus is the first-choice striker.
Perhaps when Jesus is back, Havertz could be deployed in a midfield-three alongside Odegaard and Declan Rice.
