‘Not feeling that’… Ian Wright has now spotted a new problem with Kai Havertz at Arsenal

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It’s fair to say that despite Arsenal’s recent struggles in the Premier League, Kai Havertz has enjoyed a strong start to the new season.

Havertz has already scored seven goals in his opening 15 games, a ratio that would see him eclipse his numbers during his first season at Arsenal.

In fact, Havertz is on for his best goal scoring campaign in England as a whole – his highest tally stands at 14 for both Arsenal and Chelsea in all competitions across a single season.

Mikel Arteta has seemingly ended his experiment of playing the German as a number eight unless several players are missing, a decision which has helped Havertz shine.

Over time, the 25-year-old has transformed into a proper number nine for Arsenal, he’s not even the false nine that many thought he would be after his displays for Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea.

Ian Wright didn’t like Kai Havertz’s performance in 1-0 Newcastle defeat

As he demonstrated for Germany at Euros, Havertz has become a typical number nine, someone who can hold up the ball, get in behind and also score goals.

That being said, when speaking on the ‘Wrighty’s House’ podcast, Ian Wright thought Havertz was dropping deeper during the recent defeat to Newcastle United, something he didn’t like.

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Wright wanted to see Havertz ‘back up there’ being a focal point for Arsenal, which would also lend to more creativity across attacking positions.

He said: “You know what I didn’t like? I didn’t like, I want to have Havertz back where he is. I want to have Havertz back up there being that focal point and the nuisance and the link, and the fact that he’s in and around the box a lot more.

“He’s playing out there, out in that false nine – I’m just not feeling that. [Mikel] Merino is still trying to find his feet.

“We seem very robust and strong in there, but the creativity [is lacking].”

Kai Havertz will benefit from Martin Odegaard injury return

Recently, Micah Richards pointed out that Bukayo Saka was sorely missing Martin Odegaard during his injury absence.

Opposition sides are now free to double-up or even triple-up on Saka given there’s not the threat of leaving Odegaard too much space close by.

But given how he was dropping deep to try and inspire a better performance against Newcastle, Havertz will also benefit from Odegaard’s return to fitness.

Arsenal have sorely missed their captain, who doesn’t have an obvious replacement in the squad, unless you count 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.

A difficult period for the Gunners, but one they’ll hope to bounce back from quickly.