If inconsistency was indeed a fine art, then Kai Havertz would be Michelangelo. The German forward, whom Arsenal bought for what seems like a hefty price and expected to deliver, arrived at the Emirates and quickly became a polarizing figure. On some days he is playing like a world-class talent, and on other days he is just playing with his shoes tied together.
While Havertz scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, the truth of the matter is that he should have (and probably did) have more. There are times when Arsenal fans can only pull their hair out waiting for the forward to convert golden opportunities in crucial matches. Two, now reports of the club’s plotting to move on from him at the season’s end are prompting this question: Is Arsenal finally ready to leave this most unpredictable attacker?
Havertz: A Striker or a Misfit?
However, Arsenal’s biggest problem with Havertz has been playing him out of position far too often. Arsenal brought the Gunner in as an attacking midfielder, but they moved him to striker due to a lack of reliable goal scorers. Gabriel Jesus has been off the pitch more than in the medical room. Eddie Nketiah may be useful, but he’s not exactly a striker anyone has been cowering before.
The result? In one respect, Havertz has had to lead the line—a role that is clearly not his. His movement and work rate are the right combination, but his finishing is that which makes pundits scream at their screens. However, to win the Premier League, the team needs to convert chances with Swiss-watch precision.
What’s Next for Arsenal If They Sell Havertz?
Mick Brown, a former scout of Arsenal, has said the Gunners have been wanting to unload Havertz for a while now. Arsenal need a more clinical finisher to win the Premier League, and the logic is simple. Arsenal failed to sign a striker in the January transfer window, and the summer could be a different story.
But despite that, selling Havertz is risky. So, if Gabriel Jesus will be out for a full year with an ACL injury, Arsenal could be short of attacking options again. If they don’t move on from Havertz, they will have to buy a top-tier striker if they want to avoid the same scenario next season.
Havertz’s Inconsistency: A Dealbreaker for Arsenal?
The real problem is that Havertz’s good games are outstanding, but his bad ones are like watching a car crash in slow motion. He can go from scoring a brilliant header to missing a simple tap-in from three yards out on the same day. This inconsistency has been frustrating Arsenal fans as well as making him an unsavoury figure within the club.
Arsenal is at a crossroads. Are they still betting on a player who is hardly even 25 and that he will finally get into a rhythm? Or do they just inch away from losing and get in a striker who can actually put chances away with the guarantee of a professional player?
Author’s Take: Keep or Sell Kai?
Honestly, I’m torn. In one regard, Havertz is clearly talented; otherwise, he would not have played for Chelsea and Arsenal. He works hard, plays his part well in link-up play, and has moments of brilliance. However, on the other hand, Arsenal desperately needs a consistent goal scorer, not a player who needs to be guessed, as Lucky Musa, Ola ‘the Bulls Wall’ Aina, and John Obi Mikel have done in the past.
And if I were in charge, I would only sell him if Arsenal brought in a proven goal scorer in the summer. Otherwise, next season will be “we need a striker” all over again. It’s played Havertz out of position, and maybe, just maybe, Arsenal could still grant him that last shot at his natural position before making its final decision.
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