Arteta bullish about Arsenal player Merson says isn't playing in the right position

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has leapt to the defence of Kai Havertz amid criticism over his form.

The Gunners boss, speaking to the club’s media team, refused to “talk about any individual like that”.

Arteta stressed that Arsenal “are a team” and he and his players “all need to try and improve every single day”.

The Arsenal summer signing is sadly yet to really get going at N5 following his summer move from Chelsea.

On Wednesday night, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta played Havertz in midfield once again as they faced West Ham in the Carabao Cup.

The 24-year-old actually began brightly, looking hungry to make his mark, and went close with a couple of headers in the first half.

However, the Germany international faded as the game went on, and looked anonymous in the second half as Arsenal fell to a 3-1 defeat.

‘We are a team’

When the Gunners media team asked Arteta whether he’s concerned about Havertz’s form, the manager was bullish on the subject.

“I’m not going to talk about any individual like that,” replied the Arsenal manager.

“We are a team, and when we play at our best it’s the team, and when we don’t, I am the one who is responsible for that.

“We all need to try and improve every single day.”

Amid criticism from some quarters about what Havertz offers Arsenal, Paul Merson suggested that Arteta isn’t playing him in the right position.

“Kai Havertz started in midfield alongside Jorginho and Fabio Vieira against West Ham,” he wrote on Sportskeeda.

“And I felt a bit sorry for him, as that’s not his position and he doesn’t really have a fixed role in the team.”

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Arsenal under Arteta, it’s to let things take their time and trust the process.

Many criticised Arteta’s decision to send William Saliba out on loan multiple times, but that proved a masterstroke.

Likewise, the signing of Aaron Ramsdale last season was met with criticism, but he quickly became first-choice and a fan favourite.

Havertz may be struggling now, but there’s definitely a player in there. Otherwise, why would Chelsea and then Arsenal have signed him?

Some players find their feet quicker than others. Look at Darwin Nunez. Last season, he struggled at Liverpool, but this term he’s on fire.