Michael Owen offers honest thoughts on Kai Havertz after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion

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Not many players have had more critics than Kai Havertz this season.

When the German star secured a big-money transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal in the summer, it was met with concern and question marks.

Before he could even kick a ball for Mikel Arteta’s side, he was told that he was going to ‘flop’.

Patience is a virtue. And now that Kai Havertz is starting to settle into his new environment, his form and goalscoring ability it starting to come out.

Michael Owen admitted that for large parts, the 24-year-old has been ‘very, very poor’, but he was impressed with his goal and improvement as Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 on Sunday, as he told Premier League Productions (17/12/23 at 4:05 pm). 

That’s now four goals since November for the £280k-a-week star – who is now starting to become a regular starter for this Premier League-title-pushing team.

Those three points against Brighton also pushed Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table, with Liverpool being held at home to Manchester United.

Kai Havertz’s rise at Arsenal

“Havertz is coming into a little bit of form now,” said Owen. “That could be nice if he could continue this and grow into a more of a permanent fixture and a confident player.

“I know the old saying ‘he is a new signing’. But he has been very, very poor since he has been at the club.

“But all of a sudden, he is showing signs of a bit of promise.”

Kai Havertz’s quality was always there

The issue with the criticism that was aimed at him was that he wasn’t even provided a chance to prove himself.

Yes, at Chelsea, things didn’t go well towards the end. But look at where they are and where Havertz is now.

Arteta has made some big calls during his time as Arsenal boss.

And now the call to bring in Havertz is starting to make sense. Yes, there is still a long way to go. But his big-money summer capture is now showing real promise.

But on Saturday, the Gunners face their biggest test of the season so far when they lock horns with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Anfield. That 2-2 draw is still probably haunting fans today.