Arteta now told he’s been playing £280k-a-week Arsenal star in the wrong position

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Arsenal summer signing Kai Havertz has struggled to settle in North London, and Mikel Arteta has now been told what his main problem is.

The German international is yet to score from open play since his big-money arrival from Chelsea, and has struggled to replace Granit Xhaka in the Arsenal midfield.

However, he has had some promising moments when playing as a centre-forward rather than in midfield, and Arteta has now been told that he is playing Havertz in the wrong position by former Premier League manager Steve Bruce.

Steve Bruce claims Havertz needs to change position

Speaking on BBC Five Live Sport, Bruce claimed that Havertz is a victim of his own versatility, and needs to settle in one position.

“I see him as a number 10, if you’re going to play that way. I do think his versatility may be cost him. He can play on the right, he can play in midfield. Mikel Arteta has brought him in there to maybe give them something different in midfield in creativity,” he stated.

“Can he score a goal? Can he create a goal? He’s capable of all that. He’s just been a little bit of a victim of his capabilities of playing in whatever position you put him in.

“It’s a nice thing to have as a manager but it can be a bit difficult for the player to handle week in week out.

“I see him as a forward player who plays just off the front. When I first saw him he played there for Germany. That’s what everyone got excited about, because he has a nice physical presence, he’s a big size and he has a lot of attributes.

“Mikel keeps picking him, 17 appearances, he maybe hasn’t scored enough from that midfield area where you thought he might do but I think that’s why he’s brought him in there.”

What is Havertz’s best position?

Given his struggles in midfield, Arsenal fans have called for Havertz to be given a chance as a centre-forward.

His only assist for Arsenal came against Manchester City, where he used his physicality to lay the ball off for Gabriel Martinelli to score the winner, highlighting his use as a target man.

He is similar to former Everton star Marouane Fellaini, in the sense that there is no defined position for him between midfield and attack, whilst his best attributes are his aerial ability and height.

His inability to replicate Xhaka’s creativity from midfield has meant Arsenal have suffered going forward, and perhaps using him further up the pitch, away from build-up, may benefit the £280k-a-week star.