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Mikel Arteta's decision to stick with Kai Havertz this season has led to a number of analysts questioning the German's ability.
Arsenal drew 2-2 at home against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, dropping points for the first time this season.
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15:30 - 27.08.2023
Mikel Arteta apologizes to Fabio Viera and makes feelings known about Kai Havertz
Vieira’s introduction at the expense of Kai Havertz, 10 minutes into the second half with his side still trailing saw him deliver one of his most accomplished performances in an Arsenal shirt.
The north Londoners took the lead after falling behind 1-0 in the first minute thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.
However, the Gunners failed to manage the game as Joao Palhinha scored the equaliser for Nottingham Forest.
Numerous players fell short of their best performance but Kai Havertz's performance was singled out by fans and pundits.
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Pundit reaction to Havertz's performance
Craig Burley, a former Chelsea midfielder, disagreed with Arteta's assertion that Arsenal are a superior team without the attacking midfielder in their lineup.
Speaking on ESPN, he said, "This talk from Arteta is nonsense. There’s another one in the second half where the crowd got on his back, somebody played a beautiful little ball into him, sixty yards from goal, he had 10 yards to turn because no defender had got tight to him and he passed it back 15 yards and gave it away.
“There is nothing in this Kai Havertz performance or performances that suggest that this player is any different, not one iota from the player who was performing for Chelsea. The only difference is he’s wearing a red shirt.
“He’s still got no confidence, he’s still not influencing games, he’s still giving the ball away, he’s still not getting in the right positions at the right time. He made one or two good runs in the first half.
“But at the moment, there’s a £70 million burning problem in Arteta’s pocket, because, in my opinion, he’s going to have to drop him. Arsenal are a better side without him in the team.”
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21:34 - 26.08.2023
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are 10 times better than last season
Despite their first draw in this Premier League season against Fulham, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claimed his team was 10 times better than the previous season.
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18:11 - 26.08.2023
I can’t forget where I’m from — Arsenal star Bukayo Saka
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has reflected on his rise to stardom and his close ties to his background and community.
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent backed Burley's comment and pushed Arteta to bench Havertz from the starting lineup.
Bent told Sky Sports, as reported by Football London, "Kai Havertz is the biggest one he would’ve raised a lot of eyebrows when Arsenal signed him for that amount of money, £65 million.
Bent told Sky Sports, as reported by Football London, "Kai Havertz is the biggest one he would’ve raised a lot of eyebrows when Arsenal signed him for that amount of money, £65 million.
“I think Arteta is having the same problems that Chelsea found out where do you play him? He’s not a natural No.9 he’s like a No.10 but Odegaard plays there.
“You’re almost accommodating him just to get him in the team but when you look at the balance of the side out of possession it’s all over the place. I think you need to get Odegaard, Partey and Declan Rice and then work from there.
“At the moment he’s a passenger, he’s got no confidence and that’s unfortunate. I’ve been there, it’s tough. Players are rolling him the ball and he’s taking the wrong option, giving the ball away, not tracking runners.
“He found it really difficult today and the next game which is against Manchester United they’re going to have to make changes.”
Arteta backs Havertz
Havertz was selected to start for a third straight game, however, he made no impact and was substituted by Arteta in the early minutes of the second half.
According to reports from Football London, fans are wondering why the club authorised a £65 million transfer for Havert this summer after a poor performance against Fulham.
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17:19 - 26.08.2023
Bukayo Saka: Arsenal want to win the league we've learnt from our mistakes
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has said that the team has learnt from their mistake last season and speaks on the club's target this season.
Arteta was questioned following the draw about his worries regarding the fans turning against Havertz, he said, "No, I saw an action when he played backwards and he could have turned.
"That’s more I think the demands of everybody to play forward and to impact the game in the final third because we had the urgency to win."
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