Steve Nicol has suggested that Kai Havertz was so quiet in the first-half for Arsenal in their clash with Luton Town on Tuesday that Shaka Hislop did not even realise that he was playing.
Nicol was speaking on ESPN as he lauded Declan Rice for always stepping up when Arsenal need him as the England international bagged the 97th minute winner at Kenilworth Road.
Another goal scorer on the night was Kai Havertz. The Germany international made the score 3-3 in the second-half after being played in by Gabriel Jesus.
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Kai Havertz had a extremely poor game in first-half of Arsenal win
For many Arsenal fans, Havertz is really starting to prove himself. He has now scored three goals in his last four games in all competitions. And he looks a lot more confident after such a tough start to life at the Emirates.
However, not everyone has been won over by the 24-year-old. In fact, some thought he was that anonymous before half-time that they did not realise that he was on the pitch.
“The guy just stands out on the field. You always know where he is
And you can always see him on the field,” Nicol said to ESPN about Rice.
“Whether it’s with the ball or without the ball, which you can’t say for a lot of players, you really can’t, including Havertz.
Havertz got his goal, but Shaka came to me at half-time and said,
‘you know what, I didn’t even realise Havertz was playing’.”
Of course, Arsenal fans will feel that it is much more important that Havertz steps up in the big moments rather than play a peripheral role in everything. Havertz was also accused of being quiet after scoring in the emphatic win over Lens in the Champions League.
His quality is definitely not in doubt. However, it has been a real struggle to find a role which really suits the former Chelsea man.
Perhaps this run will prove to be a real turning point in his Premier League career. But he surely still has a very long way to go before he has silenced all of his doubters.
Certainly, the Arsenal supporters are a lot more optimistic about his signing than they were a few months ago.
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