Let’s hope Kai Havertz is not the next Nicolas Pepe

Every now and then a player slips through the cracks.

The player has been perceived as a potential great addition to the squad. They have a strong market value, great statistics to back-up their value and have been courted by numerous clubs during the transfer process.

However, sometimes these players are not able to produce the results their suitors had hoped for them to achieve. They have signed a big dollar contract, yet their production has seen only limited results.

Such was the recent case of Nicolas Pepe. Pepe joined Arsenal on August 1, 2019 for a record club transfer fee of $89.2-million (USD). In 80 appearances for the Gunners, Pepe scored 16 goals.

Pepe never seemed to be able to adjust to the either the Premier League or to Arsenal’s style of play. His performances were inconsistent, and as his slump grew, his production shrank even further.

Finally, during the late stages of the 2023 summer transfer window, Trabzonspor came calling, however, since his arrival at his new club, Pepe has made just three appearances for the Turkish club, scoring only one goal. It appears his troubles continue.

Why do I bring all of this up?

Well, I am going to jump into the conversation regarding Kai Havertz. Has Havertz become the new Pepe? Did Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar make a mistake by signing the German international?

Until this past Saturday at Newcastle United, I would say signing Havertz was definitely a mistake. However, on Saturday, he seemed to hold his own in the very physical match v the Magpies. Defensively he was on the mark most of the game, however, he still struggled in the final third. In 19 Arsenal appearances, Havertz has only scored one goal, and that was from the penalty spot. Yes, we need defensive support from the midfield, but creative playmaking and goal scoring is also required. In the absence of Martin Odegaard Saturday, neither Havertz or Jorginho took control of the midfield when the Gunners possessed the ball.

Obviously, Arteta sees something in Haveretz. He keeps giving him starts. 11 starts in 17 matches thus far. That seems fair, and surely enough time for the coaching staff to evaluate what he will do this season for the club.

Now, I’m not saying Havertz is the next Pepe, however, the 24-year-old needs to begin producing on the offensive end of the pitch. We need goals, and we need the third-eye approach to finding those open slots to set up potential shots on goal.

I really hope Kai Havertz will achieve those objectives, and I’m pretty sure Mikel Arteta thinks he will.

Time will tell.

COYG!

Gunne1953