Mikel Arteta believes he can get a tune out of the summer signing (Picture: Getty)
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara is adamant Kai Havertz will ‘flop’ at Arsenal following his £65m move from Chelsea.
The German international completed a move across London last month, signing a five-year deal with the Gunners.
Havertz spent three years at Stamford Bridge, scoring 32 goals in 139 appearances, including the winner in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City.
Despite his Champions League heroics, Havertz attracted criticism during his spell at Chelsea as he largely underwhelmed following a £71m move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020.
O’Hara says Havertz ‘wasn’t good enough’ for Chelsea and expects the 24-year-old to ‘flop’ at Arsenal, who are looking to build on a second-place finish in the Premier League last season.
Havertz has been joined at the Emirates Stadium by fellow summer signings Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.
‘What Kai Havertz? He can’t even hit a barn door,’ O’Hara said on talkSPORT. ‘He wasn’t good enough for Chelsea so they got rid of him.
Arsenal signed the German international from London rivals Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
‘I am telling you now that Kai Havertz will be a flop at Arsenal. I don’t think it’s going to work out and I don’t think it’s going to fit into their mould.’
Meanwhile, Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has described Havertz as a ‘very good signing’ and says he admired the German while he was at Chelsea.
Assessing Arsenal’s deal for Havertz, Ramsdale told Kicker: ‘It’s a very good signing.
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‘Kai already has a lot of experience, he was captain in Leverkusen when he was very young. He’s an international player, has won the Champions League and scored in important games.
‘He can play in different positions, which will help the team. He’s also a tall boy, so he can also help with set-piece situations, which shouldn’t be underestimated in modern football.’
Asked what he made of Havertz during his spell at Chelsea, the England goalkeeper added: ‘Above all, it was striking how different he can play. He’s so good with the ball at his feet but at the same time he can be a target player.
England midfielder Declan Rice followed Havertz to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
‘As his opponent, you could never really rest against him because he is constantly looking for free space.
‘Also, he’s very generous on the ball and likes to use the wingers or players who move up from midfield. Hopefully we will see all of these qualities next season.’
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal came close to winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004 last season, eventually finishing five points behind treble-winners Manchester City.
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‘I don’t think it’s going to work out.’
