Arsenal fans had a stern message for Mikel Arteta after the Gunners’ pre-season defeat against Tottenham.
The first-ever overseas North London Derby didn’t go as hoped for Arsenal, who looked way off the standard needed against Spurs.
Pape Matar Sarr scored a sensational goal from the halfway line, a match-winning strike that arguably shouldn’t have stood due to a foul in the build-up.
Like every pre-season test, Arteta was given some pointers regarding what is working and what needs improvement.
In an outing that saw Arsenal debut a new corner routine, some players took their chance to impress, and others flattered to deceive.
Arsenal fans were not impressed with Kai Havertz against Tottenham
Arsenal lost 1-0 to Spurs in Hong Kong, with Kai Havertz being one of the worst players on the pitch.
On social media, fans couldn’t believe the standard they were seeing from the 26-year-old, who has done so much work to improve his physicality.
Havertz is far more muscular than he was last season, but so far, it doesn’t seem to have made an impact on his game.
“Havertz can’t hold the ball for a sec,” one Arsenal fan said, as reaction to Havertz’s performance flooded in.
“Kai Havertz is so easily dispossessed. Gyökeres, please save me.”
“Kai Havertz should’ve stayed skinny what am I watching?”
Arsenal fans urged Arteta to drop the Germany international once the competitive action starts, making it clear that others deserve to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
“Havertz has not done anything as a 9 in these games to make a case for himself to even be considered a CF option next season. Merino should be in rotation for Gyokeres. Havertz should be 3rd choice because the drop-off is massive.”
“We need to start the season benching Martinelli and Havertz,” another said.
The 2023 signing had a difficult start to life at Arsenal, but then came good, but over pre-season, fans are concerned that he’s reverted to his former level.
“Seen enough of Havertz,” one said, as another agreed, “Havertz is so so bad bro.”
“Havertz is too poor to even be the 2nd striker of an ambitious club.”
“Havertz completely doing nothing right.”
One Arsenal supporter even claimed that a ‘random’ non-professional could offer Arteta’s side the same as Havertz does.
“If u slap a random 6ft5 guy from the street upfront, he’d do the same job Havertz is doing.”
Havertz’s stats against Tottenham showed his struggles
For all of the physical improvements Havertz has made, there was very little to show for it.
Such was communicated by his inability to win duels and keep possession against Spurs.
| Kai Havertz vs Spurs |
| 77 minutes played |
| 26 touches |
| 9 passes |
| 2 shots |
| 6/17 duels won |
| 8x possession lost |
| 4x dribbled past |
Havertz was dribbled past a dreadful four times in the contest, as well as winning only 35% of his duels, both aerial and ground.
It was a poor performance from the striker, who will be eager to up his game before the competitive action starts in just over two weeks.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
