FORMER Arsenal star William Gallas has slammed the club’s decision to buy Kai Havertz.
The Gunners signed the attacking midfielder from Chelsea for £65million in the summer.
GettyWilliam Gallas has slammed Arsenal’s decision to buy Kai Havertz[/caption]
GettyKai Havertz is yet to perform his best at Arsenal[/caption]
Mikel Arteta‘s decision to buy him has raised eyebrows and Havertz is yet to convince critics on the pitch.
He has scored just one goal and managed the same disappointing number of assists in 19 games this season.
Gallas is not surprised the transfer has not worked out, telling Genting Casino: “I said at the beginning of the season that Havertz would struggle for Arsenal.
“I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but he is still struggling.
“I think it was always going to be difficult for Havertz to adapt to the way that Arsenal play and the way that Arteta wants to use him.
“I don’t think he was the type of player that Arsenal needed to sign in the summer.
“When you look at the squad, in my opinion, there were different types of players that they should have prioritised.
“It looks like it was a mistake to sign him.”
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Despite his struggles, Havertz regularly starts for Germany and he bizarrely played at left-back for the first time ever in their 3-2 friendly loss to Turkey on Saturday.
Manager Julian Nagelsmann hinted that he could experiment with his position again.
Gallas, who played 142 times for Arsenal, said: “At 24-years-old, Havertz is playing as a left back four his country? Seriously? Something is very wrong.
“For me, to make this decision, it seems like Nagelsmann doesn’t respect Havertz as a player.
“I’m completely confused. I’m trying to think about it from the player’s point-of-view – this doesn’t look good.
“I don’t like this decision, this is a complete lack of respect from Nagelsmann.”
AlamyMikel Arteta decision to sign Havertz has been labelled a ‘mistake’[/caption]