Arsenal summer signing Kai Havertz has received criticism for his slow start since joining, and it has now been claimed that Emile Smith Rowe should start ahead of him.
The 24-year-old joined for around £65m after a difficult few years at Chelsea, and his lack of confidence has continued at his new club.
Havertz did register his first assist for the club after an impressive cameo against Manchester City, but his performances in midfield have otherwise been lacking in creativity.
Darren Bent prefers Smith Rowe to Havertz
Speaking on talkSPORT, former striker Darren Bent has now claimed that popular academy graduate Smith Rowe should start ahead of Havertz in midfield.
“You should hear the ovation whenever he [Smith Rowe] comes on at The Emirates. They love him. I’ll be honest I’d rather see him play right now, in that number ten role anyway, than Kai Havertz.”
Although Arsenal’s current midfield shape means that the space next to Martin Odegaard is not strictly a number 10 role, it is a role which requires more attacking output than Havertz is offering, in order to replace Granit Xhaka’s presence in the middle.
Smith Rowe needs chances
Smith Rowe has started just one game in all competitions this season, as he delivered an impressive display against Brentford.
In his limited bench appearances, he has shown the creative spark he can provide in midfield, and the ability on the ball that Havertz has been lacking so far.
With Havertz, his performance against Man City showed that he is more suited to a centre-forward role than a midfield role. His physicality saw him hold the ball up well, eventually leading to the winning goal, whilst there was less pressure on him to dribble or offer more with his passing.
For now, Smith Rowe should be given midfield opportunities ahead of Havertz, but Havertz could benefit from more chances upfront, and away from the middle of the park.
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