Arsenal star Kai Havertz has come under fire from an ex-captain of the Gunners
(Image credit: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is the subject of an extraordinary rant from a former Gunners star about his place in North London and his role for his country.
The German signed for Mikel Arteta's side over the summer from Chelsea in a £60 million deal and has failed to score in open play just yet. Having played as a No.9, on the left of a central midfield three and on the right, he has struggled to find consistency, as Arteta looks to settle on a lineup.
Most recently, Die Mannschaft boss Julian Nagelsmann used Havertz as a left-back against Turkey – and former Arsenal star William Gallas is less than impressed with the tactical switch.
Kai Havertz played at left-back against Turkey – and scored (Image credit: Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
"At 24, Kai Havertz is playing as a left-back for his country? Seriously? Something is very wrong," the bewildered Frenchman told Genting Casino. "I don’t know what to say about this.
"For me, to make this decision, it seems like Nagelsmann doesn’t respect Havertz as a player. Havertz has spent his entire career playing as an attacking player and then you put him in at left back?
"I’m trying to think about it from the player’s point of view… this doesn’t look good."
William Gallas captained Arsenal (Image credit: PA)
Gallas went even further, laying into the 24-year-old for his poor start in a red and white shirt, saying that his former side should never have even signed Havertz in the first place.
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"I said at the beginning of the season that Kai Havertz would struggle for Arsenal… I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but he is still struggling," Gallas affirmed. "I think it was always going to be difficult for Havertz to adapt to the way that Arsenal play and the way that Mikel Arteta wants to use him.
"I don’t think he was the type of player that Arsenal needed to sign in the summer. When you look at the squad, in my opinion, there were different types of players that they should have prioritised. It looks like it was a mistake to sign him."
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
