An Arsenal legend accuses Mikel Arteta of misusing a “special player” by deploying them in the incorrect position.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson strongly believes that Gunners’ manager Mikel Arteta has been deploying Kai Havertz in an incorrect position.

The pundit expresses sympathy for Havertz, stating that he doesn’t perceive the German international as a midfielder, despite Arteta predominantly utilizing him in that role this season.

During his stint at Chelsea, Havertz mostly operated upfront or as a false nine, yet Arteta has been oddly reluctant to position him there since his move to Arsenal in the summer. Merson indicates this as a key factor impacting the player’s performance.

While there’s debate about Havertz’s impact while playing as a striker for Chelsea, it’s worth considering that his time there coincided with a somewhat dysfunctional club environment under various managers. This suggests that he might perform better in his preferred role within a more settled Arsenal setup.

Merson, as cited by the Metro on Sky Sports, commented on Havertz’s situation, expressing, “He’s facing some difficulties. He attempted a shot that was blocked; if you’ve scored four in four, you take that shot, and it either deflects or you strike it cleanly, resulting in a goal.

“I sympathize with him. I don’t see him as a midfielder; I see him as a striker. He stands at 6ft 4in, perhaps he’s better suited as a No.10.”

“He managed to excel in getting the ball into the box, which was a positive for Arsenal. His ability to enter the box is commendable.

“Given his stature, I genuinely hope he succeeds. I regard him as an exceptional player who is currently facing a challenging phase. Everyone encounters challenges in their career, and he’s presently navigating through such a period. Hopefully, he emerges successfully from it.”