Alan Shearer raises long-term doubt over Kai Havertz after first Arsenal goal
Alan Shearer doesn't believe Kai Havertz will become one of Arsenal's main players - questioning his contribution to the team.
Havertz scored his first goal since his £65million summer move from Chelsea in Arsenal's 4-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday. His Arsenal team-mates allowed him to take a penalty to finally get off the mark and relieve some of the pressure on him.
Havertz, 24, has faced criticism since his transfer after failing to score during his first nine appearances for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has praised his players for allowing the Germany international the chance to belatedly open his account for his new club.
Yet Shearer isn't convinced by Havertz and thinks he will struggle to get ahead of the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in the pecking order. The Newcastle legend has scrutinised Havertz's modest record of 20 goals in 98 Premier League games.
Shearer offered his opinion on Havertz during Saturday's edition of Match of the Day. The pundit said: "There is definitely a player in there, but when you look at the numbers, his ability, that doesn’t match those numbers. (His numbers) need to improve.
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"You know that you have to pay £60m, £70m, £80m for a squad player nowadays. He is going to play his part, but whether he will be a regular or not, I don’t think so."
Despite Shearer's criticism, Arteta was delighted to see Havertz score his first goal for the Gunners on Saturday. Saka, Martin Odegaard and Ben White also scored to leave Arsenal just a point behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta was delighted to see Havertz open his Gunners account (AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)Do you agree with Alan Shearer? Let us know in the comments below!
Arteta said: "There were moments that we dominated the game and we played the game that we wanted to play, causing big issues to Bournemouth. The other thing (that pleased me) apart from the win is the human level of what they have done today as a team.
"To give the penalty to their team-mate and have the empathy for a player like Kai, who externally is having some question marks, and that level of trust to take it and win the game for us.
"As a manager I’m more proud of this than the victory because this is what you try to build - the culture and environment that they support each other, have their backs and enjoy what we are doing. It’s worth it, it’s real and it’s not forced.
"They made the decision and showed the leadership without me even telling them so that’s much more powerful. And thank you to our supporters, because the way they have supported our team and Kai - it is going to mean the world to him. Thank you so much."
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