Paul Merson has claimed that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is using Kai Havertz in the wrong position.
The Gunners signed the Germany international for big money from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. So far, things just haven’t worked out. While a ton of criticism is flying Havertz’s way, Merson thinks it’s Arteta who’s using him in the wrong way.
Paul Merson says Kai Havertz is playing in the wrong position at Arsenal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta signed Kai Havertz to use him as an attacking midfielder.
Many felt the German international would be deployed in the role that Granit Xhaka played in last season, and that, to a certain extent, has proved to be correct.
However, Havertz hasn’t been anywhere near as good as Xhaka was last season. He has come under a lot of criticism for his performances, and some of those are fully deserved.
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson, however, says he feels sorry for Havertz because he is being forced to play in a position that he’s not suited to.
Speaking of Havertz’s performance in our defeat to West Ham midweek, Merson wrote on Sportskeeda: “Kai Havertz started in midfield alongside Jorginho and Fabio Vieira against West Ham and I felt a bit sorry for him, as that’s not his position and he doesn’t really have a fixed role in the team.”
Arteta should change his position
You can’t fault Mikel Arteta for trying to use Kai Havertz in attacking midfield – that’s the role the German grew up playing at Bayer Leverkusen.
However, the Arsenal boss needs to admit that it hasn’t worked out.
A good move now would be to use Havertz up top. His height gives us a focal point to aim at and also adds a completely different dimension to our attack.
With Gabriel Jesus out injured and Eddie Nketiah struggling in away games, we think Havertz starting as our number nine makes a lot of sense.
Whether Arteta will try that against Newcastle tomorrow remains to be seen.
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