A Tale of Two Transfers: Rice thrives while Havertz flounders at Arsenal

FT Desk

• 22 Aug 2023 16:45 BST
• 3 min read

They are both 24, both midfielders, and both moved across London to Arsenal this summer for hefty transfer fees.

But there, for now at least, is where the comparisons between Declan Rice and Kai Havertz must end.

For while one of that multi-million pound duo has taken to his new club like a duck to water, the other threatens to sink without a trace after the most underwhelming of starts.

READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

Seeing Rice boss the midfield in his first few appearances at Arsenal comes as little surprise. It has long been evident that he was too good for West Ham and was raring at the bit to prove himself at a higher level, and so far he has done just that.

He may not always be the flashiest of players, but so far he has proved just the steady hand Arsenal needed to anchor the engine room and allow those around him to push forward with confidence. His early performances, moreover, have observers from inside and outside the Emirates Stadium gushing.

"I thought he was fantastic. He really dominated the game," Mikel Arteta beamed after the Gunners' 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday.

"He bossed the midfield and dominated the game. He was very influential, both attacking and defending.

"Today he played a different position to last week because of what we expected from Palace and what we needed today, and I think he was really good." His words were echoed by pundit Jamie Carragher, who added simply: "Declan Rice was the best player on the pitch.

It is the kind of praise Havertz can only dream of during this slump.

No respite for struggling Kai

The Germany international struggled to consistently find his best form throughout his three-year stay at Chelsea, particularly in front of goal where he failed to replicate the scoring record that made him stand out as a youngster at Leverkusen.

Few Chelsea fans were sorry to seem him go this summer, and early indications suggest his stay at Arsenal could prove every bit as frustrating as he has looked lost on the field, drifting between different positions while making minimal impact on an otherwise well-oiled Gunners unit.

It would be foolish, of course, to write Havertz off after so few games. The midfielder clearly has ability to spare and, once he has settled into his new environs, should thrive in a team that is far more functional than the chaotic Chelsea outfit he struggled in last time round.

But he will have to show improvement soon to convince sceptical fans Arsenal were not wrong to trust in his talents - and Rice's rapid adaptation will only increase the pressure to perform sooner rather than later.