29 September 2023 , 11:48
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Mikel Arteta has taken it upon himself to bring the best out of Kai Havertz, with the £65million signing struggling to make an impact.
Havertz is yet to score or provide an assist in nine appearances across all competitions since joining from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. He started the first four Premier League games of the season, but has found himself on the substitutes’ bench for the last two against Everton and Tottenham.
He was outshone by Emile Smith Rowe on his first start in 499 days as the duo played together in midfield in the 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday. But, having insisted on the club spending big to sign him in the summer, Arteta is confident Havertz will find his feet for Arsenal in the coming weeks.
Asked how he would get the best out of him, he replied: “Trying to help him as much as possible. Be next to him, give him the tools, confidence and minutes to exploit his talent.
"There are so many parts to his game that he is doing exceptionally well and we know he has to keep improving. As with any player, give him support, you see a player that does what he does every single day and applies himself. If they don’t perform, it’s up to us.”
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Arteta’s backing of Havertz has sparked a backlash, with former Tottenham striker Darren Bent believing that Smith Rowe is more deserving of a place in the team. “He’s hell bent on making it work,” Bent said on talkSPORT. “It’s almost like Arteta has got a bit of a short memory. Listen, I love Arteta as a manager, but it was back to the 2021/22 season I think it was where his job was on the line.
“I think if you’re asking me who I would rather play, Havertz or Smith Rowe, Smith Rowe every day of the week.”
Kai Havertz did not impress against Brentford on Wednesday (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! What have you made of Kai Havertz's start at Arsenal? Comment below.
Arsenal travel to the south coast to play Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon looking to maintain their unbeaten start. Arteta has plenty of injuries problems to consider, with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber all struggling.
Those issues could play into Havertz’s hands as he looks to return to the starting XI. Asked if the Germany international needed to play his way into form, Arteta said: “Yes, and he needs to glide with the team. The amount of time he’s played in the left unit with those players is three/four times. We’re going to have to carry on doing that.
“Certainly, we’re going to have the experience that (we’ve had) with many other players. Try to give him as much confidence and support as we can because that’s going to help him.”