Graeme Souness claims Arsenal have a player who’s as good as Kai Havertz who barely ever gets picked

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Graeme Souness has now claimed that Kai Havertz was a superfluous signing for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal last summer.

Arteta’s side have had to endure a lot of negative noise since they left for their winter training camp in Dubai.

Three consecutive defeats completely killed the side’s momentum, and entirely changed the narrative around the club.

Once a side considered to have goals from all areas of their side, Arsenal suddenly couldn’t find the net from anywhere.

As a result, many fans now want their side to recruit a player like Ivan Toney in January, however, the funds reportedly aren’t there owing to FFP.

And Graeme Souness thinks that issue has been caused by Arsenal’s unnecessary pursuit of Kai Havertz in the summer.

Whilst Souness doesn’t necessarily talk down Havertz’s skill set, he recognised that Emile Smith Rowe was already at the club – a player just as good.

The pundit really liked some of Smith Rowe’s qualities, and believed money could have been better spent elsewhere.

Graeme Souness thinks Arsenal didn’t need to sign Kai Havertz in the summer

Speaking on talkSPORT’s ‘Simon and Souness’, the pundit said the transfer may ultimately cost Mikel Arteta.

Souness said: “Smith Rowe. I like him. As a midfield player, running into the box, clever passes.

“Everything seems to be done when he’s sprinting, which I like. He’s a goal threat. And then Arteta spends £60 million on Havertz.

“So the point I wanted to make is, that £60 million would be a fair criticism I think. When building a football team you want to strengthen the weakest part of the team.

“I think it was clear for most people that Arsenal needed another striker with Jesus, so you go and take Kai Havertz from Chelsea for big money when really you have a homegrown player who is every bit as good as him, so that £60 million should have been directed towards a striker.

“And that might cost him.”

Emile Smith Rowe is being wasted

It is rather hard to argue with Souness’ thoughts on this occasion.

Whilst Havertz can definitely be a success at Arsenal, the club indulged in a luxury signing when reinforcements were needed elsewhere.

Perhaps some will say Souness’ thoughts are all well and good in hindsight, but Arsenal must have known that Havertz was going to take time to adapt.

If Arteta had signed a proven goal-scorer alongside the German, the situation would probably be all rosy right now.

And although some think Smith Rowe may have to be sold as a result, there’s a much more logical choice for Arteta to cash in on.