Former Chelsea star slams Kai Havertz as ‘a liability’ to Arsenal – this is why he’s totally wrong

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Kai Havertz has come in for criticism at times throughout his Arsenal career so far.

The German forward had a tough start to life at the Emirates Stadium, after making the switch from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

He arrived in North London clearly bereft of confidence. Kai Havertz was even described as the worst signing of the summer that year by some. 

It took the 25-year-old some time to find his feet at Arsenal, but after being established as a striker in Mikel Arteta’s system midway through last season he found some form. 

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Kai Havertz from his girlfriend to height

Craig Burley takes aim at Arsenal star Kai Havertz

Havertz has been praised by Arsenal fans for the way he leads the line for the club. 

However, it is fair to say that he is not the most prolific of goalscorers. He started this season in excellent form though, netting four times in the first seven Premier League games of the campaign.

Havertz even equalled an Arsenal record set by Robin van Persie with his goalscoring feats at the Emirates Stadium. However, his return in front of goal has dried up somewhat in recent weeks. 

This has led to former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley singling him out for criticism.

Speaking on ESPN, the pundit said: “From Arsenal’s perspective, one of the big issues for me amongst other things is up front, can you win the league with a passenger [Kai Havertz]? I think that is coming back to be a big problem.

“I don’t want to pick on him, but basically they’ve got a front guy, a number nine, who is not doing a lot of linking up, whose general all round play is just average, and he’s not scoring goals.

“This is an area of the field that I think they have, and they are, carrying a player that is not going to be good enough to take them to the next level… Kai Havertz, for me, is a liability in this side, not a huge asset.”

Is Kai Havertz important to Arsenal?

The 53-cap Germany international may not be in his best form at the moment, but he still brings an awful lot to this Arsenal team. 

For a start, he provides a focal point for the rest of Arteta’s side to play around. With his physical presence, and duel-winning ability both in the air and on the ground, he is able to hold up play and offer the Gunners an outlet. His intelligent movement also creates space for his teammates to exploit. 

Sofascore stats underline the positive impact that Havertz has been able to have for Arsenal this season.

Arteta certainly needs more goals in his team. Arsenal have been criticised for not signing another striker in the recent summer transfer window, but that is not to say that Havertz hasn’t earned his place in the regular starting XI. He needs more support, rather than to be torn down. 

It is also worth remembering too that against Chelsea last time out Havertz had a goal very narrowly disallowed by an offside VAR call after his quick thinking allowed him to make the most of a free kick situation. He would also have had a tap in at the death had Leandro Trossard not taken the opportunity off of his toes.