Plenty of Arsenal fans were underwhelmed by what they saw from Kai Havertz against Sheffield United.
Arsenal cruised to a 5-0 win over Premier League strugglers Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Mikel Arteta will be delighted by what was undoubtedly a magnificent team effort from his side.
On an individual basis, though, Kai Havertz has come in for some criticism.
The German has had plenty of doubters since his £65 million arrival from Chelsea in the recent summer transfer window. He is certainly yet to produce an outstanding display for the Gunners.
Statistically, Havertz was solid against the Blades. As per WhoScored statistics, the £280,000-a-week star completed 88.9% of his passes, won three aerial duels, and made two interceptions.
In the final third, though, the 24-year-old failed to produce any real cutting edge. He might have scored with the final kick of the game, but his close range effort was saved at the near post by the Sheffield United goalkeeper.
Arsenal fans want more from Kai Havertz
Now, a section of the Arsenal fanbase are demanding more from the 40-cap Germany international. Taking to Twitter, one supporter said, “Havertz is a waste, man.”
Another chipped in with, “Todays game was the absolute opportunity for Havertz to get among the goals get some confidence & get the fans fully behind him. Failed. Miserably.”
Another fan made it clear that the midfielder needs to take responsibility for his own shortcomings, asserting that, “You can’t even blame Eddie for Havertz’s horror show. Man even begged for a penalty before Eddie told him to kick rocks.”
All in all, in this writer’s opinion, Havertz produced a perfectly adequate display against the Blades. The issue is, given the level of investment that Arsenal made into the player, and the fact that he has replaced a fan-favourite in Granit Xhaka, being consistently adequate doesn’t amount to much other than a sense of disappointment.
Havertz has made an underwhelming start to his Arsenal career. There is no reason to panic, write him off, and assume he can’t still come good. However, the fan frustration is understandable. Arteta himself will certainly have had higher hopes for how Havertz might have ingratiated himself at the north London club.
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