Sport nationOPINIONKai Havertz spots Arsenal opening as Mikel Arteta could repeat ruthless Aaron Ramsdale treatment
Martin Odegaard’s place in the Arsenal starting XI may now be under threat as a new player emerges to take his spot as Mikel Arteta looks to encourage further competition.
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Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard could be about to go head-to-head for starting Arsenal role under Mikel Arteta.
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard could be about to go head-to-head for starting Arsenal role under Mikel Arteta. (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Wondering where Kai Havertz will eventually fit into this Arsenal team has been a task with no clear resolution so far. He has played left central midfield, attacking midfield, centre-forward and even in a wide position so far this season.
£65million is a big investment to not have featuring regularly and it seems that Mikel Arteta does not have an immediate answer himself in the mission to find some consistency. However, the 2-1 win in Sevilla could have revealed a potential spot that has seen the door open ajar for the German international.
After yet another disappointing performance, Martin Odegaard was the first player to be substituted by Arteta and in his place was not Emile Smith Rowe or Fabio Vieira but instead Havertz. The 24-year-old was of course known for his role playing for Bayer Leverkusen in the right attacking midfield spot.
He is a completely different style and stature to Odegaard and his contribution to the game was almost all off the ball and in small quick movements. He becomes a target for long balls, which was seen against both Manchester City and Chelsea to great effect.
However, Havertz, should he find what sparked his career in Germany, can be a devastating creator and goalscorer. Arteta has just needed to find the right position to coax this sleeping giant of a talent out and into an Arsenal shirt.
Arteta is willing to make big calls with players he has signed himself. The David Raya situation should stand as a warning to any player that even someone as assured of their spot as Aaron Ramsdale once was that it can be gone very quickly and a pathway back loom almost impossible.
READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus helps Arsenal leave Sergio Ramos red-faced as Raya gives Ramsdale hope of return
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE – Aaron Ramsdale to Chelsea, Raya decision
I spoke to Odegaard after the 1-0 win at Everton and in the wake of Raya’s first start, I asked the club captain whether it showed that anyone is susceptible to being switched out. His answer was telling. “Of course,” he replied. “Of course, the competition is huge.
“You see it in training every day, the quality that we have. Everyone has to be on their very best every day in training, so I think that’s a good thing. It will help us improve as a team as well.”
It might help to improve Arsenal for sure, but perhaps Odegaard underestimated just how quickly the competition can sneak up on you. It would be an even greater controversy if Odegaard was to be dropped but based on recent weeks perhaps it shouldn’t be?
It pains me to write this as such a huge fan of the player, but he needs to step up and no individual should stand taller than what is best for Arsenal. The hope will be that he rediscovers his best work in the coming weeks and that could be against Sheffield United on Saturday – if he’s still in the side of course.
OPINIONKai Havertz spots Arsenal opening as Mikel Arteta could repeat ruthless Aaron Ramsdale treatment
Martin Odegaard’s place in the Arsenal starting XI may now be under threat as a new player emerges to take his spot as Mikel Arteta looks to encourage further competition.
footballlondon
SHARE
Bookmark
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard could be about to go head-to-head for starting Arsenal role under Mikel Arteta.
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard could be about to go head-to-head for starting Arsenal role under Mikel Arteta. (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Wondering where Kai Havertz will eventually fit into this Arsenal team has been a task with no clear resolution so far. He has played left central midfield, attacking midfield, centre-forward and even in a wide position so far this season.
£65million is a big investment to not have featuring regularly and it seems that Mikel Arteta does not have an immediate answer himself in the mission to find some consistency. However, the 2-1 win in Sevilla could have revealed a potential spot that has seen the door open ajar for the German international.
After yet another disappointing performance, Martin Odegaard was the first player to be substituted by Arteta and in his place was not Emile Smith Rowe or Fabio Vieira but instead Havertz. The 24-year-old was of course known for his role playing for Bayer Leverkusen in the right attacking midfield spot.
He is a completely different style and stature to Odegaard and his contribution to the game was almost all off the ball and in small quick movements. He becomes a target for long balls, which was seen against both Manchester City and Chelsea to great effect.
However, Havertz, should he find what sparked his career in Germany, can be a devastating creator and goalscorer. Arteta has just needed to find the right position to coax this sleeping giant of a talent out and into an Arsenal shirt.
Arteta is willing to make big calls with players he has signed himself. The David Raya situation should stand as a warning to any player that even someone as assured of their spot as Aaron Ramsdale once was that it can be gone very quickly and a pathway back loom almost impossible.
READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus helps Arsenal leave Sergio Ramos red-faced as Raya gives Ramsdale hope of return
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE – Aaron Ramsdale to Chelsea, Raya decision
I spoke to Odegaard after the 1-0 win at Everton and in the wake of Raya’s first start, I asked the club captain whether it showed that anyone is susceptible to being switched out. His answer was telling. “Of course,” he replied. “Of course, the competition is huge.
“You see it in training every day, the quality that we have. Everyone has to be on their very best every day in training, so I think that’s a good thing. It will help us improve as a team as well.”
It might help to improve Arsenal for sure, but perhaps Odegaard underestimated just how quickly the competition can sneak up on you. It would be an even greater controversy if Odegaard was to be dropped but based on recent weeks perhaps it shouldn’t be?
It pains me to write this as such a huge fan of the player, but he needs to step up and no individual should stand taller than what is best for Arsenal. The hope will be that he rediscovers his best work in the coming weeks and that could be against Sheffield United on Saturday – if he’s still in the side of course.
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Amina Umar