‘Nowhere near world-class’ – Mikel Arteta told to replace Arsenal star

Arsenal have been told they ‘need’ to replace Kai Havertz as he is ‘nowhere near world-class’ and incapable of taking the Gunners to the Premier League title.

Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal spent £65m to sign Germany international Havertz from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

While Havertz lifted the Champions League at Stamford Bridge – and scored the winner in the final against Manchester City – he largely underwhelmed at Chelsea following a £72m move from Bayer Leverkusen.

Havertz took a while to settle at Arsenal but ended up being a key member of Mikel Arteta’s squad last season, making 51 appearances in all competitions as the Gunners came close to winning the Premier League.

The 25-year-old began this season in fine form, scoring six goals in his first ten games, but Havertz’s only goal since October 5 came against Championship side Preston in the Carabao Cup.

Ex-Arsenal star William Gallas still has major doubts over Havertz and says he has ‘never ever been the right man to take Arsenal to the Premier League title’.

Gallas believes Havertz is ‘nowhere near world-class’ and must be replaced in order for Arsenal to end a 21-year wait for the Premier League crown.

Given his reservations about Havertz, Gallas has urged Arsenal to launch an audacious move for Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.

Arsenal were one of a number of clubs to express interest in signing Osimhen last summer but the Nigerian ended up staying at Napoli and then moving to Turkey on loan.

‘Kai Havertz has never ever been the right man to take Arsenal to the Premier League title,’ Gallas told Genting Casino.

‘Havertz is a good player, but he’s not top class. I’m sorry, but he’s nowhere near a world-class level, Arsenal need a player to replace him at striker.

‘I still don’t understand why Victor Osimhen is at Galatasaray, he needs to play in the Premier League and he can play at the top level at Arsenal.

‘It’s difficult to understand football sometimes, he played really well at Napoli, then made a move to Galatasaray, who are a big club but he needs to be playing at a higher level.

‘Arsenal need a striker like Osimhen, the club needs to wake up, it’s obvious and simple, they need a striker.

‘You need a strong squad to compete with each other, that’s how Man City and Liverpool stay at such a high level, if you have the same starting XI every week then the performances level will drop.

‘All the Man City players are international players and even the ones on the bench, that’s the level Arsenal need to reach.’

Arsenal failed to win four Premier League games in a row before the international break but returned to winning ways on Saturday with an impressive and comfortable 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Arteta’s side are currently fourth in the Premier League, one point behind struggling champions Manchester City and nine points adrift of Liverpool.

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