Kai Havertz responds to ‘weak’ claim in the best way and it’s why Arsenal can never drop him

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Arsenal striker Kai Havertz proved Mikel Arteta right during his first season however, is being questioned once again.

Arteta’s decision to sign Havertz has been questioned heavily since the Gunners handed Chelsea £65m for the German in 2023.

With the Blues, the 25-year-old scored only 32 goals in 139 appearances, making Edu Gaspar and Arteta’s call to recruit the forward as Arsenal’s new striker rather puzzling.

After a difficult start to life in North London, Havertz proved doubters wrong to become a key part of the manager’s attack although, criticism is slowly creeping back around.  

• READ MORE: Arsenal ace Kai Havertz’s life outside of football from his girlfriend to height in feet

Kai Havertz called ‘weak’ by former Premier League striker

Before the international break, Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a game that was eventful for Havertz. 

The German returned to his former home and scored, seeing him celebrate heavily only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Despite putting the ball in the net, the Germany international was criticized for his performance, with former Premier League striker Michael Bridges unimpressed.

Havertz was labelled as weak by Bridges, who claimed the Arsenal man hasn’t ‘got a clue’ how to play the number nine role.

It was astoundingly harsh criticism from the ex-Leeds United forward although, he raised a point that the Gunners are all too aware of.

Arsene Wenger also has reservations about Havertz, with Arteta clearly still missing a reliable number nine, regardless of how successful the German’s transfer has been.

Havertz is so important to Arsenal 

While some don’t think Havertz has a pivotal role to play at the Emirates, it’s become clear just what the Champions League winner offers to Arteta’s set-up.

11 games in, it’s already evident just how important the 6 foot 3 is to how Arsenal play, with statistics only reinforcing such claim.

Havertz ranks in the top five players in the Premier League in terms of most aerial duels won, winning 37 so far, just one less than Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

To put into perspective, the second-highest winner of aerial duels at Arsenal behind the German is Gabriel Magalhaes, who has won 19.

So, Havertz might be seen as weak as a number nine but that’s merely a surface-level assessment of a player who offers Arsenal something incredibly unique.