In the aftermath of Arsenal’s 2-1 UEFA Champions League Group B loss to RC Lens, former Aston Villa star Gabriel Agbonlahor has pointed a finger at Kai Havertz for not sharing the attacking burden with Bukayo Saka. The Gunners, who had enjoyed an unbeaten start to the 2023-24 campaign, faced their first defeat at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on October 3. Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring in the 14th minute, followed by goals from Adrien Thomasson and Elye Wahi. However, the loss was not the only blow for Arsenal; they also lost their academy graduate, Saka, to a first-half injury that appeared to be a hamstring issue, forcing him off in the 34th minute.
The Impact of Kai Havertz on Bukayo Saka’s Performance at Arsenal
Agbonlahor, speaking on talkSPORT, expressed his belief that Saka’s injury was somewhat inevitable, given the heavy workload he had been shouldering. He commented, “Eventually, it was going to happen to Saka, and it has now. He backheeled the ball and undoubtedly sustained a hamstring injury.”
Agbonlahor didn’t stop there. He criticized Havertz for his lackluster performance, suggesting that the German player’s subpar contributions were placing undue pressure on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to rely heavily on Saka. Agbonlahor remarked, “But then, it doesn’t help when you have a player like Havertz, who seems to move around the pitch in slow motion and often appears lost. It’s players of this caliber that force Arteta to depend on Saka as their primary goal scorer.”
Saka, who emerged from Arsenal’s youth ranks, has already netted five times and provided five assists in just ten games this season. In stark contrast, the £65 million acquisition, Havertz, has managed to convert only one penalty in eleven appearances across various competitions for his new club.
Let’s delve deeper into the impact Kai Havertz’s performance has had on Bukayo Saka and Arsenal’s overall dynamics:
Saka’s Prolific Form
Bukayo Saka has been a revelation for Arsenal this season. With his incredible versatility and goal-scoring ability, he has been the shining light in the Gunners’ attack. The young Englishman’s knack for finding the back of the net has been crucial in securing vital points for the team.
Havertz’s Struggles
On the other hand, Kai Havertz, the high-profile summer signing, has failed to live up to the expectations set by his hefty price tag. His lone penalty conversion in eleven appearances does little justice to the immense talent he possesses. Havertz has struggled to find his rhythm and establish himself as a consistent threat in the Arsenal lineup.
Managerial Dilemma
Mikel Arteta’s reliance on Saka is not solely based on Havertz’s underwhelming performances. It’s also a result of the lack of viable alternatives. The absence of another dependable goal-scoring option has left Arteta with little choice but to overuse Saka, exposing him to the risk of injuries, as we witnessed in the RC Lens match.
The Need for Havertz’s Transformation
To address this issue, it’s imperative for Kai Havertz to step up and take on a more prominent role in Arsenal’s attack. His abilities as a playmaker and goal-scorer need to shine through consistently, providing Arteta with the confidence to rotate his squad and reduce Saka’s workload.
While Bukayo Saka’s form has been nothing short of exceptional, the heavy reliance on him can be attributed to Kai Havertz’s struggles to make a significant impact at Arsenal. For the Gunners to maintain their competitiveness in various competitions, they must find a way to harness the potential of both these talented players effectively, ensuring a more balanced and sustainable attacking strategy.
