Arteta told one big reason why Havertz won’t reach ‘that next level’ at Arsenal

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has suggested one reason for why Kai Havertz is struggling to shine at Arsenal.

Arsenal fans will certainly have hoped to have seen more from Kai Havertz so far this season.

In the recent summer transfer window, the Gunners paid £65 million to prise Havertz away from Chelsea. So far this season, though, the German has failed to impress at the Emirates Stadium.

Havertz has looked low on confidence, and has struggled to make any tangible impact in the final third. The 24-year-old has only managed to chip in with one goal and one assist as an Arsenal player. 

The pressure is building on the former Chelsea man to find some form and prove his quality. Mikel Arteta must surely be desperate to see some significant signs of improvement emerging soon. 

However, Stephen Warnock fears that one thing may well be holding Havertz back. Speaking on NBC Sports, he said, “everyone always says ‘there’s a player there’, but is he the training ground player you’ve always played with throughout your career? Who was brilliant on the training ground but can’t quite hit that next level on the pitch.”

“Is there something that he fears going on to the pitch, where he doesn’t feel comfortable?…It’s not happening for him at the moment and that will be a concern for Mikel Arteta.”

Too early to write off Kai Havertz at Arsenal

In fairness to Havertz, he has shone on the biggest stages before in his career. He was an outstanding talent during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, and went on to score a Champions League-winning goal for Chelsea.

At present, Havertz looks a long way from the player capable of lighting up such a huge occasion. He desperately needs something positive to go his way soon to give him a much-needed boost.

Warnock could well be correct in speculating that there is a psychological aspect to Havertz’s struggles. He does not look comfortable on the pitch at present.

Equally, he is likely to be impressing during training sessions at London Colney, else Arteta surely would not be picking him as regularly as he is.

It is still too early to write Havertz off, or brand him as a flop. He has the talent to come good for the Gunners, he just needs to find another level of conviction in his game.