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24-year-old Arsenal player had decided he didn’t want to play up-front any more

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Kai Havertz decided that he did not want to play as a striker anymore when he made the move from Chelsea to Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

Kai Havertz‘s performance against Liverpool was arguably a fair reflection of his time at Arsenal so far. Some really liked Havertz’s display against the Reds. He gave Ibrahima Konaté a torrid time in the 3-1 victory for Mikel Arteta’s side.

But when the time came to produce a moment of game-changing quality, Havertz was found wanting. His attempt was saved before Bukayo Saka’s opener in the first-half.

Kai Havertz decided he no longer wanted to play as a striker when he signed for Arsenal

The German clearly works so hard for the team. And it is clear just how much everyone associated with Arsenal wants his move to work out. However, he has not been the overwhelming success Arteta would have dreamed of him being.

Arsenal FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

What you must say is that Havertz’s best performances for Arsenal have often come when he is up front. And that may be slightly frustrating for the 24-year-old.

That is because CBS Sports reports that Havertz decided upon leaving Chelsea that he was no longer keen to play as a striker.

German’s best performances for Gunners have often come from up front

Havertz had had a poor time at Chelsea, particularly in his final months at Stamford Bridge. And it really felt as though he was sacrificed because the Blues did not have a better striker option in their ranks.

The problem is that Havertz has looked most assured when playing as Arsenal’s forward. He was excellent in the first-half of the Community Shield against Manchester City. And he gave Liverpool’s centre-backs a tough time on Sunday.

With Gabriel Jesus on the same number of league goals this season, there is an argument that Havertz should keep his place in that role in the weeks ahead.

You would think that Havertz would be a lot happier to play there now, given the success Arsenal are having.

But it would be interesting to know whether he thinks Arteta is playing to his full strengths when he plays him up front.