Arsenal ace Kai Havertz has been utilised in an unusual fashion whilst on international duty.
Germany played Turkey on Saturday, with Arsenal man Kai Havertz deployed at left-back.
Despite his nominally defensive role in the side, the 24-year-old was able to get on the scoresheet, finding the back of the net after just five minutes. Ultimately, though, it wasn’t a happy night for the player as Germany slumped to a 3-2 defeat in Berlin.
Arsenal fans will have been pleased to see Havertz amongst the scorers though, and will be hoping that the goal gives him a much-needed confidence boost. He has struggled to shine so far at the Emirates Stadium, having joined from Chelsea for £65 million in the recent summer transfer window.
Havertz has lacked conviction in the final third for the Gunners. With 19 appearances for the north London club now under his belt, across all competitions, he has contributed just one goal and one assist.
There is no doubting that the former Chelsea man has plenty of talent. He is technically gifted and he has the physicality to dominate his opponents. In recent weeks, though, there has been a clear lack of self-assurance and certainty in his game.
Whilst Mikel Arteta has defended him publicly, even labelling Havertz as one of Arsenal’s best players in recent matches, the Spanish coach will have surely expected far more from the player than he has seen so far.
Media have say on Kai Havertz experiment
Despite his struggles at club level, though, Arteta is unlikely to adopt the tactic of using Havertz at left-back. Julian Nagelsmann’s decision to play him there has left many in Germany scratching their heads, and inspired a good deal of debate.
Sportbuzzer said, “it was completely unusual for him to be deployed as a left-back, but Havertz showed off his offensive qualities with his goal to take the lead. Finished confidently in the middle in front of the goal. Defensively solid, his side was at least less vulnerable than the other wing.”
Meanwhile, as per Sport, “his style of play was far too risky in his own defensive third…The experiment didn’t work.”
The move was deemed “a surprising and questionable experiment,” by Express, who said Havertz experienced “difficulty as a left back.”
It is unsurprising that Havertz didn’t take to the role especially naturally. The fact he received any plaudits at all shows that he probably had a fairly good game overall, but was simply undone at times by the unfamiliarity of his position. It will be fascinating to see if Nagelsmann repeats the experiment when Germany take on Austria on Tuesday.
After the international break, Havertz needs to revert his full focus to being on getting his Arsenal career up and running.
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