30 September 2023 , 13:48
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Frank Leboeuf insists Mikel Arteta made a mistake in signing Kai Havertz from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
Havertz, 24, became the Gunners' first signing of the off-season, arriving from Stamford Bridge in a £65million deal. However, the Germany international has flattered to deceive at the Emirates and has failed to register a single goal contribution in his first seven games for his new club.
Leboeuf, a Blues icon, has become the latest person to stick the boot in on Havertz, who divided opinions among the Chelsea fanbase. And Leboeuf has now quipped that the Arsenal new boy is currently best suited to a spot on the bench.
While speaking about Havertz to ESPNFC, he joked: "Maybe right now on the bench (is his best position) because he doesn’t disturb the others. We talked about it in pre-season when we knew he signed. His positioning is going to affect the rest of the midfielders, they are unbalanced because of him and [Martin] Odegaard playing in almost the same line.
"What made Arsenal strong last season, Odegaard was on his own trying to create the game and the others were working for him. Maybe playing on the left but when you have [Leandro] Trossard and [Gabriel] Martinelli I don’t see any room for him. I think from Arteta it was a mistake to hire Havertz, I don’t find any good position for him."
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While Havertz' poor attacking returns have been mocked, Arteta has spoken out in defence of the versatile ace. The Spaniard has mainly deployed Havertz as a left-sided No.8 this term, a plan he hinted at after his switch from Chelsea had been confirmed.
Join the debate! What have you made of Havertz' start to life at Arsenal? Let us know here.
Kai Havertz has endured a tough start to his Arsenal career (Getty Images)While Havertz has been tasked with filling the void in midfield left by former Gunners captain Granit Xhaka, he was utilised in a variety of different attacking roles during his three-year stint at Stamford Bridge. There was often a debate, however, about what position suited him best.
Havertz was usually tasked with leading the line as a No.9 but was also deployed as a No.10 and on the wings. He has previously made it clear, though, that he favours playing in a more advanced role that allows him to get into the box - a position that he will seemingly not be playing in at Arsenal.
Speaking back in 2022, he said: "Everyone asks this question and after three years, everyone should know by now what I can do - that I'm flexible up front and I can play a lot of different positions.
"Of course, sometimes it's good to play in different positions and sometimes it's bad, but in general I'm an offensive player. I like to be in the box, I like to score goals, I like to arrive in the box often and I don't care if I'm there as a No.9 or a No.10. If I'm in the box, I'm there to score goals - and that's it."