Havertz is testing Arteta's patience after repeating Chelsea struggles for Arsenal

Updated: 27 Aug 2023 19:55 BST
4 min read

Arsenal responded to last season’s title disappointment in aggressive style, splashing out more than €200 million in the transfer market to bring in elite-level talent.

But three games into the season, Mikel Arteta’s side have yet to hit top form and one signing in particular has been attracting attention.

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Kai Havertz arrived from London rivals Chelsea for a fee of €75m – a number which raised eyebrows considering the 24-year-old’s inconsistent displays during his three years in England despite his obvious talent.

FLOP?: Mikel Arteta's advice to Kai Havertz after difficult Arsenal start

The German was expected to replace Granit Xhaka as the left-sided central midfielder in Arteta’s system, bursting into the box to attack as well as being confident with his work rate, anticipation and composure in all phases of play.

And while Havertz has somewhat offered that, with Arsenal winning two of their opening three games, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen star has also exemplified a lot of the reason why he was one of the most polarising figures at Stamford Bridge.

Havertz has started every game this season but he was hooked early into the second half during Arsenal’s disappointing 2-2 draw at home to ten-man Fulham and, with Fabio Vieira, excelling as his replacement, the new man on the block may already be fighting to save his place under the ruthless Arteta.

Havertz critics dealing with déjà vu from Chelsea days

Arsenal started the weekend top of the table and, despite it being the third game of the season, there was a sense of complacency when the Gunners went a goal down to Fulham after just 57 seconds when Andreas Pereira caught Aaron Ramsdale out from long range following a poor backpass from Bukayo Saka.

Frustration only grew from then on for Arsenal as they struggled to break down Fulham despite dominating possession, culminating in Havertz being subbed on 55 minutes, having only touched the ball 28 times and completing just 20 passes.

£65m bargain for Arsenal. What a pass this was by Havertz! pic.twitter.com/Hnj9QmfHIk
— P (@ForeverBlue_07) August 26, 2023

Havertz has had less passes and touches than his midfield compatriots Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in every game so far – that is by design, with the former Chelsea man expected to contribute more off-the-ball than on, however it has already prompted fans to question ‘what does he even do?’ – a question Blues fans may be all too familiar with.

DUALITY: Rice thrives for Arsenal while Havertz flounders

Indeed, the lack of purpose was emphasised after Vieira came on for his season debut, with the Portuguese international having more passes, touches and dribbles than Havertz in just 35 minutes of action, as well as completing 100% of his passes, including the assist for Eddie Nketiah’s goal to put Arsenal 2-1 up after Saka’s penalty had equalised.

Arteta would have undoubtedly noticed the impact Vieira made and the Gunners boss has no issues dropping players if necessary, having relegated Nketiah to the bench after drawing a blank in game two against Crystal Palace, despite scoring on the opening weekend against Nottingham Forest.

Vieira has merit to start over Havertz now and the €75m arrival will need to find his feet quickly in this Arsenal team, or risk being the forgotten man as Arteta looks to minimise on any weaknesses and wrong the rights of last season.