Kai Havertz has come under pressure following a run of poor performance for the Gunners following his £65million move from Chelsea to the Emirates.
The German was identified as an attacking midfielder during his day at Bayer Leverkusen. He was deployed as a center during his three-year spell at Chelsea. Since arriving at Arsenal, the German international has been playing on the right side of Arsenal’s midfield.
Kai Havertz has found the net once this season for Chelsea and set up Arsenal’s winner against Manchester City.
However, Former Chelsea and French defender Frank Leboeuf has claimed that Kai Havertz is still a problem at Arsenal as he was at Chelsea.
What did Frank Leboeuf say about Kai Havertz?
The former French international explained: “That guy’s an enigma, we don’t know where to put him. That’s the problem, his inconsistency at the top level.
“Everything was organised very well at Arsenal last season. We knew the midfielders, we knew the strikers, everything. And because of his price tag, you have to play him but that’s disorganised the team.
“You have the striker – [Eddie] Nketiah or [Gabriel] Jesus – and then you have [Bukayo] Saka, [Gabriel] Martinelli or [Leandro] Trossard on the wings. You don’t need him up front.
‘“n the middle of the park, because you have [Martin] Odegaard you need two strong midfielders to get the ball back. So, you don’t need him.
“So, you have created issues and problems because you hired him. He has a talent for sure when he’s at his best. But right now, he’s more a problem than a solution.
“That’s why I say he’d be better on the bench because Arteta didn’t find any solution to put him at his best and to make sure it doesn’t affect the team. Right now, Havertz on the field affects the condition and the rhythm of the team.
“I was happy to see him leave Chelsea because he was the same problem. You have to sacrifice players to put Havertz in. That’s the problem.”
Meanwhile, Frank Leboef believes Mykhailo Mudryk will come good at Chelsea.
He said concerning Mykhailo Mudryk: “He came and signed with big amount of money, big price tag coming from Ukraine in war and everything. He needed time to adapt to new football and he’s very young.
“But there is a time when you need something back. And it’s a long time since he signed, and people are expecting a lot more. Hopefully, he’s going to produce, and he’s going to do what we want.
“So maybe we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and I really want him to give his best because he has the pace and the skills to do that.
“He’s confused in his head right now. He has to make everything clear to make sure he gives 100%. I would love to see that because I’m sure he’s a talented player.”
Saturday will be the first time Kai Havertz plays against Chelsea since he left the club during the summer.