Prove Being A Multipurpose Player, Kai Havertz Floods Of Praise

Kai Havertz performed brilliantly for Arsenal last season (Instagram/@kaihavertz29).

Kai Havertz was immediately criticized when he arrived at Arsenal from Chelsea in June 2023 with a dowry of 65 million pounds.

Mikel Arteta did project Havertz as an attacking midfielder to lead the Gunners' attack.

During the three seasons with Chelsea, the position was very well played by the 25-year-old, including when appearing for the German national team.

However, the Gunners public does not seem to understand the tasks carried out by Havertz. They even compared it with Dimitar Berbatov, which incidentally had different positions.

Arsenal supporters welcomed Havertz with the hope that the player was also successful in terms of goals. In reality, the German's job is not so.

However, Havertz was not discouraged. Most importantly, he carried out his duties according to Arteta's instructions.

While he was acting his role and accepting all kinds of criticism, Arteta suddenly changed his plans halfway along with Gabriel Jesus' injuries.

The striker went back and forth to the treatment room. As a solution, Arteta shifted Havertz to the spearhead position instead of false nine.

Counting when entering 2024, Havertz is often fielded as a striker in all competitions.

In the aftermath, the transformation resulted in goals after goals from Havertz, which at the same time satisfied the expectations of the fans.

Since becoming a striker, Havertz has scored nine goals and seven assists throughout the 2023/2024 season. He scored all these notes in the Premier League.

The positive transformation confirms that Kai Havertz is a versatile player.

The public turned 180 degrees. From the start, it was insulting, now it is throwing praise. Appreciation also came from the football environment.

Joleon Lescott, a legend of Manchester City, praised Havertz's ability to adapt successfully after Arteta's early ideas did not go according to plan.

Lescott defended the 25-year-old and turned to criticize the public for making comparisons with Bebatov, an unfair discussion.

"Yes, I think (criticism) is unfair. I'm sure when they sign him I don't think he will have or play the role he plays."

"I'm sure he will be important to them. I think Arteta has a different role for him at the start. It didn't go according to plan. Then Kai Havertz was able to adjust."

"Yes, I think because they want the profile of an attacker, number nine, to have a certain appearance and image. However, we didn't award him as number nine."

"If you compare it to its style, like its attributes, it's much different from Bebatov," Lescott told The Sun.

Lescott further was greatly impressed by Havertz's outstanding performance. In fact, his smooth transformation made the public forget that he was actually an attacking midfielder.

"He was able to bring the ball at a long distance. He was technically very, very good. He scored. He always looked comfortable in front of goal."

"So, yes, I think because he once played in the attacking midfielder position, it prevented his appeal from appearing like number nine."

"You have to respect. He didn't play for Arsenal or Germany in the European Cup as number nine. However, he was able to do well," said Lescott again.

Havertz was outstanding last season, both as an attacking midfielder and a forward. However, the public had an expectation that 25-year-old players were brought in to score goals only.

As a result, Havertz did not receive a pleasant welcome at the start of his appearance for Arsenal.

In fact, if you look at the statistics, Havertz's appearance as an attacking midfielder is also slick. He was able to score four goals in the official event, one in the Champions League and the remaining three in the Premier League.

Although Havertz played well when shifted forward, Arsenal still needed to add attacking ammunition.

You see, the Gunners only have Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus at the spearhead. That number will certainly be a problem in the future.

For now, according to Lescott, Arsenal doesn't really need a striker considering they can still compete in the 2023/2024 Premier League title race with the composition.

"I think it's easy to suggest that (Arsenal need a striker). However, is much available and guarantees you will get the goals they need?"

"I'm sure the attacker gave you a different type of goal. Does that give you more goals than Havertz which I think was amazing last season?"

"I think attackers have different ways of taking advantage of opportunities that don't really exist. I think attackers generally want to see goals and want to see a perfect position."

"I think the attackers will bring different elements into it. But, once again, you have to strengthen the squad, strengthening your team is important."

"Being specific in a rather rough position. Actually, they didn't lose the title just because they didn't have the striker."

"They have tried enough to win the game and score goals. So, Arteta only finds alternatives for the little things she thinks are needed," said Lescott.

Kai Havertz has scored a total of 13 goals and seven assists in 37 Premier League games last season. The record was added to one goal he made in 10 Champions League games.