Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been urged to drop Kai Havertz for this weekend’s huge clash against Manchester City. Former Gunners winger Jermaine Pennant has likened the German to Dirk Kuyt because he doesn’t know his best position.
Havertz scored his first goal for Arsenal in their 4-0 win at Bournemouth last Saturday. But overall it has been a struggle for him to make an impact since his £65million arrival from Chelsea in the summer.
Arteta has used Havertz in the left-sided No 8 role after playing much of his time at Stamford Bridge as a false nine. He is still adapting to the position but Pennant thinks he needs time out of the starting XI.
Pennant had a spell at Liverpool in his career and played in the same team as former Dutch star Kuyt. He claims he never knew what position Kuyt should be playing and believes there are similarities with Havertz.
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Pennant told Lucky Block: “Havertz has to be on the bench, for me. Havertz wouldn’t start for me and I’d have to ask him where he plays! If he says as a striker, or a 10, or an 8, I’d stick him there and let him express himself.
“Theo [Walcott] had pace, so you could play him anywhere in the forward line and get away with it. You can’t do that with Havertz as he’s not quick or massively skillful. When I think of players I played with who were unsure of their best position, I’d say Dirk Kuyt comes to mind.
“I used to ask him if he was a winger or a striker! He couldn’t do what I did and put in crosses for Crouchy [Peter Crouch] or Fernando [Torres] and I used to be annoyed when the team sheet would arrive and he’d be on the right! I swear he played as a striker for Feyenoord!
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“It’s difficult as so much of football hinges on confidence. If players aren’t well-drilled in where they play, then it’s hard to launch a career. It can also make the team worse as it can put them out of sync.”
Arsenal haven’t beaten City in the Premier League since 2015, a run of 15 consecutive matches. Pennant reckons Pep Guardiola’s side will win again but says the Gunners should have confidence from Wolves’ shock result last weekend.
He added: “City are the favourites regardless of the opposition, so I’d say they’ll beat Arsenal. I’m going for 2-1 City. Stranger things have happened, though! Wolves did it, so why can’t Arsenal?”
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