After being held to a 0-0 draw by Everton, Arsenal have now managed to share the spoils in their last two games in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s looked like they would be ready to return to their fluid best after beating AS Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League.
However, Arsenal dropped another two points on Saturday and in the process, they failed to capitalise on Liverpool slipping up in their 2-2 draw against Fulham as well.
Chelsea have a chance to extend their lead to four points over the Gunners if they defeat Brentford and Manchester City could also go level on points with them if they vanquish Manchester United on Sunday.
One player who did not have his best game against Sean Dyche’s men was Kai Havertz.
Havertz has come under criticism from Craig Burley, who was analysing Arsenal’s goalless draw against Everton. Recently, Michael Bridges slated Havertz as well by stating that he looks “clueless” on the pitch while definitively stating that “he’s not a striker.”
Everton's English defender #18 Ashley Young (L) and Everton's Danish midfielder #29 Jesper Lindstrom (R) vie with Arsenal's German midfielder #29 K...
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Kai Havertz dubbed “average” and a “passenger” after Arsenal-Everton
Burley initially questioned Mikel Arteta for failing to take the German international off.
Furthermore, the pundit claimed he continues to be unimpressed by the former Chelsea striker as he feels he has little to no impact on games.
“He’s [Mikel Arteta] talking about goals, it’s my favourite subject, the one guy he didn’t take off and once again, he was a passenger was Kai Havertz. I mean, it’s almost every game, we sit here and say, what did he do?”
“Yeah, ran about, he closed down, he won a couple of headers. He didn’t do anything of any note in and around the penalty area.”
Craig Burley continued: “I thought they were very good in possession but very average in the final third and again, I go back to it, the one man that stays on the field has the least impact of anybody and that’s the frontman, Kai Havertz.”
“Every now and again, when you’re playing Brentford or maybe playing Southampton, he’ll do something. And I don’t want to pick on him but it’s such an important position.”
“How can it be that he can just be pretty average within this pretty Arsenal team? In terms of having a frontman that’s top-quality, just not for me. I’m sorry, I want to give him a chance Gab [Gabriel Marcotti] in terms of analysing him but every time I watch him, I see similarities week in, week out.”
“Running around, winning a few headers, playing a few five and 10-yard passes but never doing anything definitive in a game where you’re going, wow, that was a game-changer.”
Gabby Agbonlahor questioned Havertz’s leadership up front as well and urged them to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United in recent weeks.
But Mikel Arteta is interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic as he feels the Juventus goalscorer suits his side to a tee.
Havertz has only three goals in last 10 Premier League games
Havertz will likely be frustrated by Craig Burley’s criticism.
However, the Champions League winner is not doing himself many favours, having scored a mere three goals in his last 10 Premier League games.
Havertz has failed to score in his last three consecutive outings in the league as well, last getting on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s 5-2 demolition job of West Ham United.
The best way for the much-maligned number nine to silence his critics will be to score goals on a consistent basis.
Arsenal will be desperate to win the league this season and naturally, how Havertz performs could play a massive role in whether their dream can turn into reality.
But it would be fair to say that the versatile attacker is out of form at the moment and finds himself in a goalscoring slump.
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