Havertz Struggles to Shine but Arteta Backs Him

In the recent Premier League clash between Arsenal and Fulham, the Gunners were held to a frustrating draw. Crickex Affiliate users were particularly disappointed by the underwhelming performance of German summer signing Kai Havertz, whose quiet display drew criticism from fans. As the saying goes, “what you love can sometimes hurt you,” and for many Arsenal supporters, that sentiment now surrounds Havertz’s integration into the squad.

Despite the criticism, manager Mikel Arteta stood firmly by his player, insisting that Arsenal should have scored more goals in the match. Since joining from Chelsea, Havertz has featured in all three of Arsenal’s league games this season but has yet to record a goal or assist. His substitution for Fábio Vieira during the Fulham match raised further questions about his fit in the team — questions that Crickex Affiliate reporters believe remain unresolved.

Arteta, however, remains confident in Havertz’s potential. In his post-match interview, he highlighted a moment when Havertz received the ball facing his own goal, but instead of turning forward, he played it back. Arteta emphasized that every player must look to push forward and impact the game in the final third, especially given Arsenal’s high expectations this season. When asked if Havertz could eventually win over the fans, Arteta responded with an emphatic yes.

The manager noted that Havertz has already contributed in several positive ways, even if the end product has yet to materialize. “He owes it to himself to keep pushing,” Arteta said. He acknowledged that while Havertz found himself in good positions during the match, the final pass often failed to reach him. So far this season, the chances have been there — what’s missing is that finishing touch.

Though Arsenal dominated possession and created numerous chances, a late equalizer from Fulham made the result feel like two points dropped. The Gunners had conceded a stunning goal just moments after kickoff, something Arteta admitted put them on the back foot. Still, he praised his team’s response and control throughout most of the game. “When you regain the lead against a well-organized side, you have to protect your box at all costs,” he said.

But Arsenal failed to do just that, and Fulham capitalized. It was their only real chance — and they made it count. As Crickex Affiliate users noted, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Now, Arsenal must channel that frustration into renewed determination. They’ll need to demonstrate a deeper hunger to win, showing their opponents that they’re ready to rise above adversity and fight for every point.