Arsenal star dubbed ‘a real handful’ after giving Luton Town ‘a torrid time’ in 2-0 win

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Arsenal secured a comfortable victory over Luton Town on Wednesday, and whilst Emile Smith Rowe took the plaudits, other players impressed.

Smith Rowe was named the player of the match upon his return to the side, having played a hand in both goals, whilst Thomas Partey also put in a strong performance in his first start of 2024.

Despite not scoring, Kai Havertz put in an excellent display, with his movement in attacking positions perhaps going under the radar, and he has now been praised for the trouble he caused for Luton’s backline.

Kai Havertz praised for role in Arsenal win over Luton

Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Charles Watts highlighted how Havertz caused nightmares for the Luton centre-backs with his movement.

“I was watching him closely, and he just gave their centre-backs, especially in the first half, a torrid time,” he stated.

“Some of the shots didn’t come off for Havertz, a couple of times he got brushed off the ball in possession, but those two centre-backs would’ve known, when they came off at halftime, that they’d been in a proper game.

“He was a real handful, he didn’t give them a second’s rest. I thought he led the line really well, which is what he’s having to do playing in this position for Arsenal, so I think Mikel Arteta would have been delighted.”

Kai Havertz is thriving as a centre-forward for Arsenal

It took some time for Havertz to settle at Arsenal, but he is now enjoying what appears to be a tailor-made centre-forward role for him.

He is allowed to drop further back and help in build-up play, whilst also roaming from his position to link play with Martin Odegaard.

His combination of size and mobility makes him unpredictable to defend against, and his ability to drag defenders away from his teammates helps create more space for Arsenal’s other attackers.

If he can keep up his goalscoring form, he can nail down a starting role, even if Arsenal decide to sign another striker this summer.

The likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have been linked, with Arsenal pursuing a young centre-forward to add further quality to the front line, but Havertz may still start next season as the first-choice option in the position.