John Giles believes Kai Havertz is not the only Arsenal star who is not doing ‘enough’ after criticising how Declan Rice has started out since signing for Mikel Arteta’s club.
The Gunners bet big in the summer sales to strengthen Arteta’s side after missing out on the 2022/23 Premier League title. Arsenal paid rivals Chelsea £67.5m, including £5m in add-ons, to sign Havertz. While Arteta raided West Ham United to sign Rice for a club-record £105m.
Both have cemented themselves in the Gunners line-up since arriving at Emirates Stadium in June and July respectively. Arteta has started Havertz and Rice in Arsenal’s side for the four Premier League matches so far this campaign. They also both started the Community Shield.
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Rice has further played all 360 minutes of Arsenal’s top-flight matches since leaving London Stadium as West Ham’s captain. Havertz only played the full 90 minutes against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. He enjoyed 56 against Fulham and 77 against Manchester United.
Arteta hooked Havertz against Fulham whilst 1-0 down before his replacement, Fabio Vieira, inspired a 2-2 draw off the bench. Vieira again replaced the 24-year-old last Sunday with the scoreline at 1-1 against the Red Devils. He would assist Gabriel Jesus to make the score 3-1.
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Rice also put Arsenal ahead against Manchester United with his first goal under Arteta since his summer transfer. The midfielder tried his luck from an acute angle and saw his effort find a way past Andre Onana. His hit deflected off Jonny Evans and crept under the goalkeeper.
John Giles feels Declan Rice is not doing ‘enough’ for Arsenal
Rice had already cemented his importance at Arsenal through the midfielder’s ball-winning abilities before scoring against Manchester United. His protection of their back four proved why Arteta coveted his capture. While his goal showed he has the confidence to try his luck.
Yet former Manchester United midfielder Giles has stated on The Stand with Eamon Dunphy that Rice is not doing enough for Arsenal. The ex-West Bromwich Albion coach further feels Havertz is only offering one of the three aspects that are expected of a midfielder like him.
“[Graeme] Souness said there’s three things as a midfield player: Positional sense, scoring goals and making goals,” he said. “He’s only got one of them, which is covering the ground. What he does, he does very well. But I would expect more form him as a great player.
“I’m not having an argument again when speaking about Declan. I think he’s a very good player but is he one of the great players? Does he do enough in the middle of the field? No.
“Yes, I’d have him in the team anytime. He’s a good lad, he’s a very good player and should be a good player. But could he do more? I think so.”
Ian Wright thinks Kai Havertz needs to score an Arsenal goal
Arsenal legend Ian Wright is another who feels Havertz has not yet delivered the displays to justify his transfer. The Gunners’ iconic striker believes the midfielder needs to score his first goal for the club to settle in after wasting a glorious chance to find Manchester United’s net.
“He needs these kinds of things to happen for him,” he told Premier League Productions, via the Mirror. “He has obviously taken his eye off the ball. I am thinking, ‘this is what he needs’.
“He needs to settle himself down. There is a lot of talk about him. It’s a great touch, a great touch! But he has just slashed his foot at it instead of just watching it. Anything on target and you score. I think, at the moment, that’s how it’s going for him.
“It’s the kind of chance you hope he takes so he can start to get himself going at Arsenal. I haven’t seen that for a long time. The Arsenal fans are still waiting for it to happen for him.”