Arsenal recently won 4-0 against PSV Eindhoven to celebrate their arrival back in the Champions League after a seven-year absence, demonstrating their strength and potential under Mikel Arteta’s leadership. But as a critical north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur drew near, focus quickly shifted to that game.
The function of Kai Havertz, a key summer addition for Arsenal, was a topic of conversation that was intriguing. During their league game against Everton, Havertz had been abruptly benched, allowing Fabio Vieira to fill in. However, Havertz came back strongly against PSV, turning in a superb performance that won him accolades from both spectators and analysts.
With a match rating of 7.0 and an outstanding 93% passing accuracy rate, his return to the squad was in fact significant. Havertz shown his versatility by dominating in the middle of the field and even taking over as the game’s lone striker in the closing minutes. His shrewd play and superiority in duels showed that he has the ability to shift the course of the game for Arsenal.
The question of whether Havertz should continue to start the forthcoming derby match against Tottenham came up. Though a promising player, Fabio Vieira was thought to be physically unprepared to take on a strong midfield pairing like Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr. Given his earlier criticism for being “too weak” in possession, there are doubts regarding Vieira’s ability to compete well in such a pivotal match.
Many claimed that Havertz should be preferred over Vieira due to his powerful 6 feet 4 inch frame and ability to add physicality and creativity to Arsenal’s midfield. Havertz’s physical and artistic presence was regarded as crucial, particularly in a difficult game against a formidable Tottenham team.
