Maximizing Kai Havertz’s Impact at Arsenal by Jack
Arsenal’s acquisition of Kai Havertz brought anticipation, but his integration has been a work in progress. Fans offer diverse strategies to bring out the best in him.
Some suggest benching Havertz temporarily. This allows him to observe teammates, learning the system intricacies, movements, and possession play. This method aims to smoothen his transition onto the pitch.
Drawing parallels to our other options in his position, like ESR and Vieira, fans advocate for Havertz to earn his chances. This approach instills accountability and fuels Havertz’s drive for growth, mirroring the development path of both his rivals for his starting spot.
Immediate pressure to perform like Rice and Timber (in his short Arsenal career) might be hindering Havertz’s confidence. Allowing him time to acclimate emphasizes personal growth over immediate results, potentially alleviating the weight on his shoulders.
Two tactical tweaks have been suggested to get the best out of the German. The first involves pairing Havertz with Gabriel Jesus, known for linking with midfielders. This could create space for Havertz to exploit. The second proposes a lineup “flip,” placing Odegaard on the left and Havertz on the right. The aim is to harmonize styles of play for a more cohesive attacking unit.
In conclusion, Arsenal has various avenues to harness Kai Havertz’s potential. Whether through patient observation, earned opportunities, or tactical adjustments, the goal is clear: to unlock Havertz’s full potential. As the season unfolds, time and performances will unveil the path leading to his best form in an Arsenal shirt.
Jack Anderson
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JustArsenal Show – NEO discusses Arteta’s evolving tactics and discusses whether Kai Havertz could be considered a flop after his four games…
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Personally I would have like to have seen Kai integrated slowly into the starting XI from the bench given his lack of form and what seems a lack of confidence as well, after his difficult time at Chelsea.
Also, for the team’s benefit as well, as having 3 new signings go straight into the starting XI was always going to disrupt things.
Many players need adaption periods, none less than Henry, who was looking poor for his first 2 months, before turning it around.
I still think it was a huge risk signing him, and I worry that Arteta may start forcing the issue by refusing to drop him. He deserves to be dropped, but I would play him against Everton, as their main threat is the physicality and height they have from set-peices. We need Kai for that game, not the diminutive Trossard or Vieira.
But Kai underperforms again, he has to dropped for the following game.
Henry was fresh from another league. Kai is currently in his 4th year here in the EPL. It’s fair that he needs time to gel with new teammates but adapting to the league is one less thing he has to worry about compared to Henry
Not to mention the great Thierry was a winger who was being transformed into a striker. You are not the first to tell them this but they have developed an extraordinary ability of not understanding anything that crush their biased views.
So you acknowledge that a different position plays a part in adaptation. Thank you so much for backing up part of my point about Kai.
Really appreciate that! 🙂
Its not my problem for you to lie to yourself and be proud of it Queen Jen the Third!
Okay you both need to read this and follow the rules, or you will both be put into moderation.
https://www.justarsenal.com/justarsenal-comments-rules-for-subscribers/313188
Enoughs enough! Said the judge and jury….
Again though, who is it doing attacking?
HH is the one that needs moderation. He’s the one constantly attacking anything I say, whereas im just responding to his nonsense. Finally, he’s the one that constantly lies.
How is it fair to moderate the victim?
Oh and claiming I’m about 5 different users as well.
Lols
If you allow yourself to get wound up and under your skin then you are falling for the trap. All insults will be deleted and repeat offenders will be cautioned. Be the adult. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Etc
Admin, he doesn’t get under my skin, it’s the lying that’s unacceptable! He should apologize, if he’s a man that is.
And just watch this space. He will continue to comment on whatever say and continue to lie. Fingers crossed, he finally gets moderated at that point.
Let’s follow the rules, be civil to each and most importantly I will continue to put the club before an individual and you can continue doing what you do best.
Peace?
See what I mean admin, the guy is an absolute child! Lets be civil, since when have you ever done that?
You a lair as I never said I would put Arteta before the club, unlike many AKB’s I should add. So apologize for your lie, and lets move on.
Henry was a striker up until Wenger was sacked at Monaco. He was then moved out wide to accomadate the likes of Trezeguet. As a kid in the suburbs of Paris he played in teams 2 years above his age, as he was strong, fast and a prolific goalscorer. He was one of only a handful of players that went to Clairefontaine without belonging to a professional club. It was there that Gerard Houllier saw him and recommended him to Wenger.
That’s exactly right, HH caught out lying yet again!
Wenger already knew him as striker hence the easier transition back into that position after his terrible spell at Juventus.
Jen, Wenger desperately wanted to sign Henry, but Monaco refused point blank to do business with us, due to us signing Petit and Grimandi. He then signed for Juventus, and 6 months later Wenger got his man. It reminds me of the Kaba Diawara transfer. Marseille wanted to buy him from Bordeaux, but Bordeaux refused to let him go there. We sign him, and then 6 months later we sell him to Marseille.
Completely get your point on Henry, but to add some context – is it that the EPL is just too tough for him or was it that Chelsea rarely used him correctly? And 2 out the 3 years at Chelsea, the club was, and still is, in a complete mess. Also many of the modern day fans would still have been heavily critiquing Henry, despite him being from abroad.
Hardly any Chelsea players have performed at a consistently high for a long time, not just Kai.
He had huge potential at Leverkusen, and I guess that’s what MA is hoping he can unlock, and that’s the risk, especially at the price we paid.
top4, you make a very PERTINENT point!
Arsenal is a global brand with a large following in Africa and the Middle East. We’re talking about the highest earner at Arsenal. He even earns significantly more than our star boy and you’re talking about potential. The guy is 24 years old for God’s sake.
Trossard and Rice were experienced in the EPL before joining from lower teams yet no one is talking about their potential. This guy has flopped in a Chelsea team that won the Champions League for three whole years.
I don’t buy the idea of Trossard playing LAM cos of the defensive duties of the position but why can’t ESR play there especially when Havertz is failing? Arteta said ESR has to earn minutes but it seems Havertz does not. Instead we’re trying to work out ways of making the earner of £330k p/w play better by tweaking our tried and trusted system just to ensure he’s on the pitch. Good gracious
It does have a strong foothold in Africa but Premier League doesn’t have a following in the Middle East. It’s La Liga and CL over there.
Maybe I have to do more research on that
For Asia I am sure it’s the Eastern countries where the PL has strong following.
I don’t dispute Barcelona and Real Madrid having prominence in the Middle East but outside of those two I would strongly suggest that no one has an idea who Almeria or Rayo Vallecano are.
It transpires that Arsenal are the most followed team in the UAE, (despite the obvious Man City connection) with Chelsea second. Arsenal are also the most popular team in Qatar, Iran and Bahrain. Meanwhile Chelsea are most popular in Saudi, Oman, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and The West Bank. In fact, there’s not one country in the region where a team other than Arsenal or Chelsea are the most followed. This was based on twitter followers
Not at all the case. It is widely known that many Middle Eastern countries follow our PREM closely
Why, for example, do you imagine the football authorities in Saudi are desperate to copy and (as they fondly imagine!!) exceed the Prems massive global reach.
You are right about large parts of Asia and a great dealof Africa being Prem obsessed.
On the false idea that Saudi hopes to reach our Prems level of popularity, its PRIME obstacle will always be, that it has no FOOTBALL GREAT HISTORY and fan obsession, often through many generations, with one English club.
In my family, we are NOW onto the fith generation of GOONERS, dating back to my grandfather who followed Arsenal before we moved to Highbury. In fact, much further back still.
Saudi will struggle to overcome that MASSIVE disadvantage, in their case.
I don’t understand what Saudi end game is. Just last night I was chatting with my cousin and fellow gunner when the Saudi league topic came out. I asked him the question is not how many big players they get there but who want to follow their league?
Personally I am not interested in their league no matter who plays there. The EPL is not just about players and size of clubs for me. I have been following it since I was very young its so much part of my life and has been integrated into our culture that to just start following another league is very unlikely. Even if all EPL clubs lose big players and field academy players Its the league I will still follow.
Now if other people around the world have same reasons as mine why would they just start to invest their time and attention to the Saudi League because Ronaldo or Handerson or Mbappe is there?
If I understand correctly didn’t China try the same and failed?
HH A heartfelt post that I feel sure will find much agreement wirth very many, probably almost ALL Gooners everthere, except some of those in Saudi. The overwhelming majority on JA and elsewher are ANTI SAUDI because of their lack ofeven basic decent human values and that alone will always be a handicap to them.
UNLESS AND UNTIL, they adopt humane values and start treating women as equal and stop their Neanderthal penatlies to all who they see as “outsiders”. That will not happen , very sadly, any time in the forseeable future.
Teother huge obstscke they faceis thr lackof any football real history. Great Clubs esewher and espo in Britain, wer born in tht 19th century andhave huge generational long historical support and worship.
THIS SITE is a perfect example in our clubs case and all top clubs have asimilar history , even if many do lack our glorious long ago and near past. And PRESENT too.
No HH, I see SAUDI as no more than the rich kid on the block, who lacks class, humanity decency, and all that matters in life.
They will continue to make waves but imo, the chances of them ever getting anywhere near to our PREMS global reach are ZERO. At least not until Kingdom come!
Havertz needs to go play with the U-21’s for some months and he will up his game. His under-performance is entirely up to him to do something about. It cannot be a burden shared with other players who, on a daily basis are pulling their own weight. Throwing all sorts of excuses around his poor performances is not helping him, the team nor our collective state of mental health as fans. Experimentation time is over, the season is on a roll. Arteta needs to know it takes two bad performances and he’ll face the music.
👍Agree Mo. No one, no matter how much the player cost deserves a free run in the starting 11, without the performances to support it. Arsenal cannot afford to carry anyone.
Make him do high-press with our CF, to make Odegaard focus on playmaking
Use him as our front-line pivot, to do hold-up play
Tell Odegaard and Saka to make long diagonal passes to Havertz’s head more often, if they get stuck on the right wing
Lastly, ask him to improve his positioning skills based on Xhaka’s games
The thing about high pressing is that all attacking players have to press together. If not, it fails. You can’t have only Kai and our CF pressing because there would be other openings to just pass the ball away and make them run around in vain
Odegaard and our CF usually press the opposition’s GK/ CBs first, then our wingers will also press if the opposition’s GK or CB passes the ball to one of their fullbacks
Havertz will just replace Odegaard in that task. Havertz might be pacier than Odegaard for the job, although I’m not sure about Havertz’s stamina
If you mean initiating the press, then yes Kai can take the active role of starting the press. Once it starts, every attacking players has to take a man each to cut out all the outlets for the one having the ball. Otherwise, the press can be easily broken.
I hope Kai is up to it and show the grit of giving it his all even when he is out of form. Back when Xhaka was deemed the king of scapegoats and condemned by most here, one thing he never let us down was his effort
Yes, that’s what I meant. Odegaard could use his energy for creativity and playmaking, if he lets Havertz initialize the high-press
Don’t doubt Havertz’s effort. He was fully committed in duels, as shown in his aerial-duel stats at Selhurst Park
Our previous creative AMs, such as Fabregas, Nasri, Cazorla and Ozil, tended to avoid harsh challenges like that. Xhaka and Havertz are more courageous
‘Undoubtedly’ is definitely not the right word here. Either Havertz has been out of form for four years,or he just isn’t very good.most pundits and fans are rightfully doubting he has any potential. He just isn’t very good. Four years of stats don’t lie.
Haverz is our highest earner. Why are we “waiting”? Why should we have to wait? What guarantees do we have, giving him time will be beneficial? He is earning a massive salary, i suggest, we SHOULD NOT be waiting at all.
That’s our fault, not his.
People complain about arteta giving up on Pepe, but i think havertz has far more ability, especially for a pressing/possession team like ours, so we really should do whatever can be done to get him up and running.
While I agree we should do what we can to get him up to speed, I wonder what ESR and Vieira are thinking now. Let in-form players play while those who are not in form sit. It doesn’t mean we don’t like or hate him. It just means competition should be encouraged like recent talks of Raya starting against Everton. And be honest, if you were ESR or viera, what would you be thinking now?
I agree – I think part of getting the best out of havertz is taking him out of the starting lineup and giving those players a chance. I think havertz needs to recover his confidence, and needs to be taken out of the limelight for a bit. Conversely, Vieira should be rewarded for his recent good form and ESR needs opportunities.
👍dgr8xt
Pepe arguably was performing, a totally different debate between those two. Pepe has no significance to Haverz.
Not really, Pepe was a good finisher but clearly wasn’t a good fit. I mean, everything is arguable, but that one is a bit if a stretch.
So, you dont think a goal involvement every other game, is fitting in because that is Pepes record before he was dumped.
No I don’t think that constitutes fitting in. I watched him. I really wanted him to be good for us but he wasn’t. He scored a few goals and had some nice moments in games, but anyone watching could see he slowed us down and lost the ball too often with his dribbling attempts and never seemed sure what to do in the build up. Never built on any of his goals with consistent performances. Sadly it didn’t work – emery strongly alluded to it by saying he wanted Zaha instead!
He’s a great fit for a counter attacking side – I think he’d still score a lot of goals in a good one – but that’s not us.
Im sorry, he produced, that can not be argued, regardless of your opinion. I have stated a fact. Your opinion is just that.
I think we should take him out of the starting lineup in the league and get him focused on finishing in training. Start him in Europe and cup games, and use him from the bench in league games. I think his movement has been really good, but i think he’s got confidence issues (poor finishing, doesn’t seem to want the ball, goes for safe options too often) and needs time to build that confidence back up.
Getting used to new setups is an understatement. He left that silly badly run Chelsea club and move to Arsenal. Not just Arsenal. Arteta’s Arsenal. Talents like Ozil, Pepe, Tierney and Aubameyang couldn’t cut it and talents like Toreira, Guendouzi, Holding and Martinez couldn’t get a sniff in. That’s the high level of tactical, positional and intensity of Arteta ball. Havertz grew up in a household of a policeman and a lawyer. He is humble, withdrawn and shy. He is gonna struggle. But the manager got a plan for him to serve the club properly. Let’s wait and see.
Mike I read betwen the lines of what you actually SAY, but strongly infer.
I see one problem Havertz has very clearly. It is, as you suggest, a lack of “an extrovert and up and at em, Xhaka style character AND personality. He seems a decided introvert and in top sport such types have a natural disadvantage I believe.
I do much agree that MA is such a demanding manager- one reason I SO SUPPORT HIM – but that SOME players( PEPE !!) are simply not the sort of fit that a squad full of ultra hungry players(as we have NOW) demands .
I will reserve judgement on Havertz, as he has had a ridiculously short time here and is getting unwisely slaughtered by our lesser thinking Gooners. But time alone will tell.
I was so excited when news broke out of a potential deal involving Kai. My belief was we were getting Ode’s deputy from a financially strained club at a throw-away price and at relatively low wages. However, if the figures being thrown around are true then I’m forced to demand more from him. He demanded 350k and got it. Time to prove his worth like the rest of us who have to prove our worth to our employers and clients. Having said that, I think 350k for Kai is just absurd. I think Arteta is smarter than that.
Interesting take on MA’s smartness.
I wonder what you think about his decision to award Aubameyang the reported £300 plus a week, especially after seeing first hand what damage Ozil’s similar wage had done?
Perhaps one could put that down to his learning curve, but Havertz?
In hindsight, and, with some of us Ken also foresight, the ludicrous new contracts awarded to both those players could and should have been avoided.
Neither was, to put it far too mildly, MA s finest hour.
I remember that MA perhaps does not actively negotiate salaries, personally, but for sure he will need to endorse any awarded and is therefore responsible for gross errors in BOTH cases.
Though I remain a massive MA supporter and see great obvious managerial and esp coaching qualities in him, it would be an outright lie to deny that he has made MANY mistakes in what you call “his learning curve” period. I do prefer though to look forwards rather than back
But this is football he doesn’t have to prove anything! He will get same amount even if he doesn’t play a single minute. The contract is signed the fools are those who gave it!
I keep asking myself if Havertz even knows his best position.We play him in midfield while he is a C.F for Germany.However he is under perfoming in both positions.May be its time he decided where he needs to play and works his socks off to earn his place.
It’s not easy to get so many opportunities in life like what Arteta and Flick are giving him.
A sensible article that wisely goes into the whys and wherefores of integrating Havertz, while avoiding making hasty judgements.
This is the sort of well thought out article I wish were the norm on JA, instead of rants, from ONE writer in particular, a reasonably newish regular contributor in fact.
Now I do not pretend to know ,one way or the other, if Havertz will ,in time, win fans enmasse, round. Its a truism that ALL players nedd to EARN their place.
But, for sure it does not help him or our club, being aware, as they will be, of the many far too hasty final judgements on here from, sadly, far too many of us.
Why thankyou Jon,
And I will return the compliment by saying it’s nice to have a sensible comment “instead of rants” from some regular readers!
He needs a lot of confidence boost, and needs to up his desire to make an impact as well. Demanding more balls, participating in the play more, making himself available and demanding is something only his mentality will provide, not his abilities. If he starts doen that path, I hava no doubt he is probably our most talented player. He is being paid for the potential not his present state. And with age in his side, there is every reason to believe he will come good.
Can you tell me one single player on this planet who earn £330k p/w based on his potential. I really wish to know. That’s wages for world class talent.
And where do you get this idea of him being our most talented player?
Answer to the first question : Havertz.
Answer to the second question: Based oon his potential.
Daulat a shrewdly observed comment about “mentality, not his abilities”!
Any reservations I hold are more about his obvious lack of a very helpful EXTROVERT nature and his lack of a Xhaka style” I’ll, bl..dy show you lot what I CAN DO!”
On you confidence point, of course we all gainfrom our peers appreciating what we can do. But , MOSTLY, it has to come from within.
Yes, that is a worrying thing about him. He seems very introverted, and there in lies the risk. It’s not helping him settle down and exert himself over others. His demeanor will definitely slow down his progress. And yes it has to come from within. Arteta may try to inspire him but the drive has to xome from Havertz.
Havertz will come good, Just a matter of time upon his role’s advancement which will include assists and goals but until then we keep grinding out wins.mark my words.
Havertz has proved to be an average player, and Arteta is trying to get him to be excellent, that is the problem
Havertz lacks grit, intensity, and he’s a low energy player. First the player has to vastly improve his intangibles,.
He isn’t a clinical finisher, lacks an aggressive nature for defense, and the will to impose himself and take over a game.
Big job, because it’s not “building him up” but rather creating a valuable player from invaluable material.
I agree with taking him out of the starting lineup for the mean time and introducing him from the bench. He needs to put up a fight somehow and try to earn a place in the first XI, that’s what everyone else does. Vieira should be allowed to play more often because he has produced more results since this season. He was not this effective last season but he worked on it and has become a better player. Kai should also do the same, that’s part of what keeps a team healthy.
After Havertz performance against Japan I should imagine Edu and Arteta are blaming each other for wasting 65 Million.
People ranting that Havertz is on £330k a week are way off the mark. The basic weekly wage of the squad are…
Havertz £280k
Jesus £265k
Rice £240k
Partey £200k
Saka £195k
Saliba £190k
Martinelli £180k
Zinchenko £150k
Pepe £140k
Ramsdale £120k
White £120k
Odegaard £115k
Jorginho £110k
Gabriel £100k
Nelson £100k
Nketiah £100k
Timber £90k
Trossard £90k
Soares £75k
Kiwior £58k
Elneny £55k
Tomiyasu £55k
Yes, you have quoted basic weekly wages, but that isn’t all they are paid. Fact is Haverz is Arsenals’ highest earner. None of us know his or anyone elses bonus payments, but they won’t be a couple of hundred. You haven’t included image rights sponsorship, and playing bonuses.
At least you finally share my view in my deleted post weeks earlier in their rather childish feud admin pat.lol
Not sure why my post keep standing on it’s own despite using the reply button.meant for Admin pat the judge above.
First, I think we need to lock him up for a few months, then maybe if we are top of the League, then we can unlock him!!!
Havertz being part of a winning formula will help to integrate him. The fans are also of good use in trying to get Havertz to acclimatize to his surroundings, which is why Arteta pleads for their love