Iconic former Arsenal striker Ian Wright believes that one player has been unfairly maligned this season due to one aspect of his game.
Arsenal star Kai Havertz has often come under fire this season.
Arsenal paid £65 million to prise Havertz away from Chelsea in the recent summer transfer window. However, when the German arrived at the Emirates Stadium, he was clearly desperately short on confidence. In his first few months on the books at the north London club, he played without conviction and often looked like a tactical misfit in Mikel Arteta’s system.
Throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, Havertz failed to ever really shine on a consistent basis. He was primarily used up front by the Blues, but after bringing him to Arsenal, Arteta attempted to remould the 24-year-old into an attacking midfielder. Whilst he struggled to get to grips with this role, Havertz came in for a huge amount of criticism.
In recent months, though, he looks to have found his feet. Many Arsenal fans have hailed Havertz for his progress, and the player certainly deserves credit for fighting his way back into form. In the last few weeks, Havertz has been particularly impressive. In the absence of Gabriel Jesus, he has formed an effective partnership with Leandro Trossard, or has even been able to shine when tasked with leading the line himself. Havertz has now scored in each of his last three Premier League outings.
Ian Wright comes to defence of Arsenal ace Kai Havertz
Against Sheffield United last time out, the 42-cap Germany international rifled the ball into the bottom corner of the goal, after having been played through by Gabriel Martinelli. Havertz was praised for the conviction of this finish, as that is an aspect of his game that has been lacking at times.
Another element of Havertz’s game that has drawn criticism is his body language. Whilst the data demonstrates that he works hard, presses well, and competes fiercely in duels, it is true that Havertz cuts a relaxed and languid-looking figure on the pitch. This can be deceiving though, when perceived as inaction of even laziness.
Ian Wright has now hit back against such accusations. Speaking on his Wrighty’s House podcast, the ex-striker said, “the thing with him is, right, is that when you watch Kai Havertz from the start of the season to now, the only difference is obviously he’s scoring, but him getting into those positions and playing like he’s playing. Because, even when it started, Kai Havertz’s numbers, in respect of interceptions and stuff, are still very high.”
“Obviously people look at how he is, people absolutely obsessed with bloody body language…the fact is he’s doing the same as what he was doing at the start of the season, which is what Mikel bought him for, he’s getting in the box, breaking things up, linking play…He’s doing it. It’s just…his body language is the same, he’s just executing.”
Havertz has certainly proven plenty of his critics wrong in recent weeks. Arteta now needs him to maintain his current form until the end of the campaign. If he can do that, then Havertz could yet have a huge say in the title race.
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