‘I’m not feeling it’: Ian Wright says he doesn’t like how Mikel Arteta is using one Arsenal player

Arsenal are in the midst of something of a mini-crisis at the moment. The Gunners have won just three of their last eight league games...

Nov 6, 2024 - 13:00
 0
‘I’m not feeling it’: Ian Wright says he doesn’t like how Mikel Arteta is using one Arsenal player

Arsenal are in the midst of something of a mini-crisis at the moment.

The Gunners have won just three of their last eight league games at this point, and they’ve lost some serious ground in the title race.

Of course, Arsenal aren’t out of the race just yet.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
4 ChelseaChelsea10 5 3 2 20 12 8 18
5 ArsenalArsenal10 5 3 2 17 11 6 18
6 Aston VillaAston Villa10 5 3 2 17 15 2 18

Indeed, Gary Neville believes that Arsenal can still win the league, but if Mikel Arteta’s side are to come out on top, they need to buck up their ideas.

Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, Ian Wright has been discussing some of Arsenal’s ongoing problems, and he’s raised an issue regarding Kai Havertz and his current position in the team right now.

Arsenal's Kai Havertz during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Arsenal FC and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Emirates Stadiu...
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images

Ian Wright not happy with Kai Havertz’s positioning

Wright spoke about Havertz and how he’s been playing as of late.

Havertz received a lot of praise earlier this season when he was playing as a number nine, but now, he’s being utilised in a more withdrawn role.

Wright wants Havertz back up front leading the line as he was in the early stages of the season.

“You know what I didn’t like? I didn’t like, I want to have Havertz back where he is. I want to have Havertz back up there being that focal point and the nuisance and the link and the fact that he’s in and around the box a lot more,” Wright said.

“He’s playing out there, out of that false nine. I’m just not feeling that. Moreno is still trying to find his feet. We seem very robust and strong in there, but the creativity, his creativity.”

Havertz is missing Martin Odegaard

Havertz has had to drop into a deeper position to compensate for the fact Martin Odegaard has been out of the team in recent weeks.

Odegaard has been struggling with injury, and it’s fair to say that the Norwegian’s absence is affecting Havertz.

Kai Havertz alongside Martin Odegaard this seasonKai Havertz without Martin Odegaard this season
Games310
Goals23
Assists10
Premier League and Champions League games only

As you can see, Havertz is much more effective when Odegaard is on the pitch alongside him, and Arsenal do click a lot more in an attacking sense when their captain is fit and available.

Luckily, Odegaard should be back soon as the midfielder has now returned to training for the Gunners, and hopefully, his return will coincide in another uptick in form for Havertz.

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow