Since leaving Chelsea for a sizable sum of money, Kai Havertz has had difficulty.
In order to offer the strongest proof to date that Mikel Arteta is forcing a square peg into a round hole, Kai Havertz was first very average, then very good. Oh, and Arsenal was outstanding.
David Raya’s selection over Aaron Ramsdale was the big news leading up to the game, and just in case the less astute members of the Emirates faithful missed it, Mikel Arteta labored the point by telling Gabriel Jesus to pass the ball directly back to the goalkeeper right after kickoff. That shouldn’t still be the story, but it probably will be. Arsenal were fantastic.
It appeared as if PSV had never watched an Arsenal game. In fact, it appeared as though Peter Bosz had arranged his team’s lineup in order to give the Gunners a boost of confidence before the north London derby.
A press was run by the Eredivisie team, but it served no purpose. Martin Odegaard was given more time with the ball to choose passes wide and in back thanks to them.
On Bukayo Saka, they were unable to double up. As a result, Arsenal enjoyed themselves immensely upon returning to the Champions League.
In an almost perfect first half for Arsenal, Saka scored the opening goal before assisting Leandro Trossard, who later provided for Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus’ first touch was as delightful as his strike was fierce into the far corner as Trossard’s curled finish from the edge of the box kissed the post on its way in.
The two of them were ablaze; Saka is always ablaze.
Gabriel Jeusus celebrating his outstanding goal against PSV Eindhoven for Arsenal.
Declan Rice moved around midfield and drove from it in a manner that was very similar to the excellent style he has displayed thus far this season, slipping passes into the path of Odegaard who then twisted, turned, and slipped passes into the seemingly limitless number of players in front of him who were unencumbered by opposition pressure.
The only front-six player still having trouble settling in is Kai Havertz, whose enigmatic summer transfer from Chelsea raised eyebrows. Not for lack of trying; even during the darkest of Stamford Bridge days, lack of effort was never a criticism that could be leveled at him.
It’s not like he was bad.
It’s undoubtedly the game where many Arsenal supporters will proclaim him to be particularly excellent, not because he was particularly excellent for the vast majority of it, but rather because they are anxious for their high-priced acquisition to justify the expense, and he did so toward the end of the contest.
He made his usual behind-the-back breaks from midfield, most of which were ignored, and used the ball reasonably well.
Havertz’s performance, however, was one to shrug at while his other attacking teammates shone, with obvious moments of brilliance set for a highlights reel.
The concern for Arsenal supporters will be when they will see the best of him if he can’t perform well in a match like this, where there is so much room for him to maneuver and almost no pressure on the ball.
He significantly improved after Jesus was removed from the race and moved up to No. At Chelsea, he attained the No. 9 position primarily by default.
In the lead-up to Odegaard’s second-half goal into the corner that gave Arsenal the victory, he did some excellent work.
In general, he looked much more at ease with his back to goal, dropping off the center-backs and coordinating the play with his customarily deft touches.
The standard response to a forward player who is stuttering is to say that they need a goal in order for everything to go well.
In contrast to Jesus’ brilliant finish, Havertz’s one very good opportunity to score was blazed over the bar.
That will be the issue for Havertz, who once again struggled in the role Arteta thought he could — and still hopes — mold him into.
Havertz was very attractive while playing in a position he wasn’t purchased to play in.
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