Mikel Arteta’s private view on struggling new Arsenal signing emerges amid fan criticism

Mikel Arteta is not likely to give up on new signing Kai Havertz any time soon.

Havertz was signed on a big-money deal from Chelsea this summer in one of the most surprising deals of the now-lapsed window. The forward hasn’t enjoyed an ideal start at the Emirates Stadium, struggling to adapt to Arteta’s style of play, but the Arsenal boss has defended the German.

Arteta recently spoke of how it is going to ‘take time’ for Havertz to fit in with the Gunners, using his wife in yet another left-field analogy. The Spaniard said after the win over Man Utd: “I think he’s done already really good things today. It was tough for him in certain moments, he got in great areas again and the ball didn’t arrive. He’s had a lot of situations, he should have scored already a lot of goals this season, and that’s the thing that is missing there.”

Still, Havertz has come in for some tough criticism from supporters early in the season, despite Arsenal winning three of their first four games and drawing the other. Though, Arteta is going to remain patient, according to Julian Laurens, who believes there have been factors behind Havertz’ difficult start.

“Again, I think he needs more time, Havertz,” Laurens told ESPN.

“It may not look like much, but he has played with four different left-backs so far this season, he had Kiwior, Zinchenko, Tomiyasu and Timber playing there. This is not helping when you play on that left side and you have different left-backs behind you every single time with different profiles. I think he will get there.

“Arteta is convinced he has enough talent to get used to that number eight position and do well, he’s good in training. In games he lacks a lot, but Arteta is happy with him and he brings a lot of balance to this team to, I think he will come good.”