Havertz joined Arsenal in a £65m deal last week (Picture: Getty)
Paul Merson is convinced Kai Havertz makes Arsenal a better team but has warned the forward could face accusations over his work rate as Mesut Ozil once did in north London.
Havertz completed his £65million switch from Chelsea last week in one of three major additions expected at the Emirates alongside Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.
The Germany international joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, then regarded as one of the most promising talents in Europe.
While he enjoyed some memorable moments at Stamford Bridge, including scoring their Champions League-winning goal in 2021, he has faced questions over whether he can fulfil his true potential.
Mikel Arteta was the driving force behind Arsenal’s interest in Havertz and envisions the 24-year-old starring in a number of different roles in his starting XI next season.
Former Arsenal star Merson however believes Havertz’ style will inevitably draw comparisons with that of Ozil – the same player Arteta exiled from the squad four years ago.
‘Arsenal should be buzzing with Kai Havertz, he makes them a better team,’ Merson wrote in his column for Sky Sports.
Arteta confident Havertz can play in a number of different roles (Picture: Getty)
‘The only problem I could see with Havertz is similar to that experienced by Mesut Ozil at Arsenal. If it’s not going well, Havertz doesn’t look too interested.
‘That’s just down to the way he plays, it’s just the way certain players are, it’s not that he’s not trying.
‘If you’re having a good game Havertz looks elegant, silky, but if it’s not going well, people will say he’s not running around or trying.
‘That’s his only problem, but make no mistake, he improves Arsenal.’
Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013, winning the FA Cup three times during his seven years at the club.
As his relationship with Arteta began to deteriorate, the former Germany international was left out of Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League at the start of the 2020-21 season and six months later, was released from his contract, joining Fenerbahce.
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The German sealed a move to north London last week.