Havertz has scored in back-to-back games for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Emmanuel Petit has praised Mikel Arteta’s handling of Kai Havertz and said the German midfielder is still carrying baggage from his poor spell at Chelsea.
Havertz struggled initially at the Emirates after his big-money summer move from Chelsea and was dropped from the starting XI for several key games in October and November.
However, the 24-year-old has begun to show signs of turning his form around having found a last-minute winner against Brentford last weekend before notching up the opener against Lens in midweek.
Petit, though, has still urged caution from Arsenal fans but believes Arteta’s approach will see Havertz soon back to his best after a tough few years.
‘He came to Arsenal with a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders and he was still carrying a lot of mental baggage after a dreadful season at Chelsea. Game after game, he was criticised heavily in the press,’ the former double-winner with Arsenal told Lord Ping.
‘When you are criticised every week, that can affect your confidence as a player. He has also played in so many different roles, which wouldn’t have helped him. I think Havertz has had quite an unsettled couple of years.
‘It was a nightmare for him at Chelsea last year and you could see that when he came to Arsenal, he was still affected by that. I think he needs time.
The German was on the scoresheet in the Gunners’ 6-0 win over Lens (Picture: Getty)
‘I said a few weeks ago that Arteta should put him on the bench to relieve him of the pressure on his shoulders; try and give him minutes slowly. I think that step-by-step approach has brought the best out of him, and helped him rebuild his confidence.
‘Havertz is in the right place. The Arsenal dressing room is the best dressing room that he could be in as a player.
‘The group are very humble guys who love to play together with a great team spirit, which is exactly what he would have needed after the challenges he has faced over the last couple of years.’
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Havertz has played in a number of different roles this season, including a brief stint at left-back for his country, but Petit believes the key to long-term success will be nailing down the German’s best position.
‘I think Havertz will find his best position because I believe in Arteta and I believe that he will have a development plan for Havertz. I think the best is yet to come for Havert, he added.
‘If I was picking his best position, it would be as the left midfielder of three with a license to break the lines and score goals.’
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