Arteta urged to axe Havertz as Arsenal already have "better option" available

15 September 2023 , 00:00

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Kai Havertz has struggled to make an impact for Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been told that Emile Smith Rowe is a "better option" than the struggling Kai Havertz.

Havertz, who joined the Gunners from London rivals Chelsea in July as part of an eyebrow-raising £65million transfer deal, has failed to impress at the Emirates but retained Arteta's faith, starting all four of their Premier League fixtures. The versatile German was considered a flop during his three years with Chelsea and some have already thrown that label at him since his move to Arsenal.

While Havertz, 24, insisted during the international break that he has no concerns over his start to life in North London, former Gunner Jermaine Pennant doesn't share his opinion. Pennant, who also played for Liverpool during his globetrotting career, reckons that academy graduate Smith Rowe should be given minutes in the midfield role which Havertz has been occupying.

"I'm not seeing any evidence Havertz can turn this around," the ex-Arsenal winger and former England international told OLBG. "I wasn't totally impressed with his spell at Chelsea. I know they struggled last season, but I'm not sure how long you have to give a player to impress you. Havertz is a good player, for sure, but I don't see him being a better option than what Arsenal already have.‌

"I'd say Smith-Rowe, when fit, is a better player who contributes more. Is he a good squad player? Yes. However, I wouldn't say Havertz isn't a go-to number 10 or number nine."

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Smith Rowe's journey under Arteta is an intriguing one, having been a standout performer during the 2021-2022 season, a campaign which came after he was given the iconic No.10 shirt and rewarded with a new long-term contract. Last term, however, the 23-year-old didn't start a single Premier League match after falling down the pecking order.

Have your say! Should Mikel Arteta drop Kai Havertz for Emile Smith Rowe? Join the debate in the comments section.

Emile Smith Rowe is waiting for his chance this season

Arteta has also kept him rooted to the bench so far this season, although he's well aware of his talents. When asked on transfer deadline day whether Smith Rowe would be leaving, the Gunners boss emphatically responded by saying: "Yes. The role [for him is] like everybody else does. To try to give his best and make the team better.

"Obviously, I had a conversation with him and it's important to understand where he is. It was always going to be tricky the first three or four weeks. Not just for us, but for all of the clubs where you see all the rumours and all the players who are not playing, they are unhappy not just in this country but in every country.

"We have just one game per week for a month. Everyone comes to the new season with huge aspirations and there are not minutes for everybody and September will be very different."

Arteta has, though, continually defended Havertz and made an amusing analogy following another out-of-sorts display during Arsenal's 3-1 win at home to Manchester United last time out. "I said to him yesterday, things are hard in the beginning," the Spaniard explained to Sky Sports.

"When I met my wife, in the beginning it was hard to conquer her and I had to try and keep messaging. In the end, she said yes, she wanted to be together and it was beautiful. If it is a yes on the first day, it is not that great. I think the crowd was really good with him today."

Nathan Ridley