Lineker and Shearer agree on Havertz's main problem in advice to Arsenal star
Gary Lineker has questioned whether Kai Havertz can be the answer to Arsenal's striker problem after Alan Shearer picked apart his struggles against Liverpool.
Havertz was given extra attacking responsibilities in the FA Cup third round outing after Gabriel Jesus missed the game through injury. The German international started as part of a front three with Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson, and was the recipient of a number of the Gunners' best early chances.
One of those, around the half-hour mark, saw him dither rather than taking on a first-time shot. This clearly frustrated Shearer, on commentary duty for the BBC, and the pundit made his feelings known
There were further chances later in the first half. One of those, two minutes from the break, had Shearer complaining for a second time that the former Chelsea man had taken too long.
"Too much time, far too much time needed," Shearer said after the first of those chances. "I didn't think he needed a touch.
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"It's great pressing again from Declan Rice, and the pass there from Odegaard. You've just got to hit it, there's no need to take a touch there. The pass is soft enough, it's in his way, just go and hit it."
Shearer would later contrast Havertz's hesitancy with the efforts of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who hit the bar after taking a chance early. Before that, though, he had sympathised with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and offered Havertz a bit of advice
"[You] just don't need that touch," he said. "You're not going to get the time to take that extra touch and another one at this level. You're given an opportunity, just take it."
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Kai Havertz missed multiple chances against Liverpool (Julian Finney/Getty Images)BBC presenter Gary Lineker shared the view at half time, adding: "He has had his opportunities but he just doesn't look like a natural No.9 that's for sure."
Arsenal and Liverpool had drawn 1-1 in the league just before Christmas, and the meeting at the Emirates Stadium was a chance for one of the two title contenders to get one over on their rivals. Liverpool might be ahead in the league, but their opponents created more than them in the first half.
There was also a missed chance from captain Martin Odegaard, who fired an effort against the woodwork, Havertz also put a presentable chance off-target in between his two moments of hesitation, while Nelson also had an early opportunity to break the deadlock rounding visiting keeper Alisson but finding the angle too tight.
Havertz showed good movement to get into dangerous positions, but couldn't take advantage. With more than three weeks of the January transfer window remaining, questions will be asked about Arsenal's attacking options.
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