Former Liverpool player and ex-Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness has expressed his critical view on Kai Havertz’s time at Arsenal, arguing that Mikel Arteta has not been able to enhance the German midfielder’s performance since his arrival from Chelsea.
Arsenal invested £65 million in the summer of 2023 to sign Havertz, hoping that Arteta could develop him into a more impactful player. However, Souness believes that has not been the case.
“Havertz has not improved at all. He is simply not the solution for them,” Souness remarked. While the German midfielder has shown flashes of brilliance, his inconsistency has raised concerns about whether he was the right addition to Arsenal’s midfield.
Souness also pointed out Arsenal’s struggles in the January transfer window, particularly their unsuccessful attempt to sign a new striker. Reports suggested that Arsenal were eager to address their goal-scoring issues by pursuing Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins.
“The fact that Arsenal were pushing to sign Ollie Watkins in the final days of the transfer window highlights their desperation for a striker,” Souness stated.
Arsenal reportedly made a bid close to £60 million for Watkins, but Aston Villa refused to sell him after already losing Jhon Duran to Al Nassr. Souness criticized Arsenal’s transfer approach, suggesting that if they were serious about signing a top-class forward, they should have made a move earlier in the summer window.
With Arsenal still competing for the Premier League title, their failure to bring in a new striker could prove costly. Souness believes that if Arsenal falls short in the title race again, they might regret missing out on Watkins.
Mikel Arteta has already acknowledged his frustration with Arsenal’s January transfer dealings. If Havertz fails to deliver in crucial moments, the Gunners could face difficulties in attack at a vital stage of the season.
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