‘I can’t understand what he sees’: Darren Bent baffled by how much Arteta trusts 24-year-old Arsenal player

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Mikel Arteta has worked wonders at Arsenal over the past 12 months, but, for some reason, his decisions still come under a lot of scrutiny.

The Spaniard has made a number of controversial calls this season, mainly around David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale, but speaking on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, Darren Bent has called another of Arteta’s big decisions into question.

Indeed, Bent has been speaking about Arteta’s insistence to persist with Kai Havertz, claiming that the £65m spent on the German should’ve been spent elsewhere and that he can’t understand what he sees in Havertz to keep putting him in the starting XI every week.

Bent baffled by Havertz loyalty

The pundit spoke about the 24-year-old Arsenal player.

“I’m not saying he’s an arrogant manager, but he’s reluctant to do what got him success last season. There are times where I’m wondering if he’s just doing thinks to prove he’s right. Kai Havertz, that signing for instance. That £65m could’ve been spent elsewhere, to put him in and have him starting over other players, that’s another decision where I can’t understand what he sees from that decision,” Bent said.

Strange

It has to be said that it is strange that Arteta is being so loyal to Havertz after getting very little return from him thus far.

The German has hardly hit the ground running since joining Arsenal, and while everyone seems to be seeing problems with Havertz’s performances, Arteta is persevering.

Who knows? Perhaps in a few months’ time we’ll see this as a managerial masterstroke, but, at the moment, it is baffling that Arteta keeps using Havertz ahead of some of his other midfield options.

Arsenal are unbeaten so far, so there’s not much to complain about, but, at the same time, if things turn, the knives could well be out for Havertz before too long.