Popular pundit Ally McCoist has expressed concern for Arsenal superstar Kai Havertz, after his poor performances have followed him onto the international stage for Germany.
McCoist said that Havertz is ‘not setting the standards at Arsenal’ and went on to say that ‘obviously [he is not performing] on the international side as well.’
In their latest outing, Germany were taken apart by Japan in an international friendly – despite Leroy Sane’s early goal, Die Mannschaft were beaten 4-1 by the Samurai Blue.
Havertz was one of Germany’s starting players during their game against Japan – he was hooked on the 73rd minute and replaced by Thomas Muller.
What did Ally McCoist say regarding Kai Havertz?
Speaking on TalkSPORT, McCoist said: “Do you know what I think they’re lacking? I’m just looking at their [Germany’s] side and they’ve got great players, [Leroy] Sane, [Florian] Wirtz, [Serge] Gnabry, [Kai] Havertz.
“I’m just looking at that side and I think it lacks a bit of steel. When you think of German sides of the past, clearly they’ve been talented, no doubt about it, but they’ve always had a bit about them. They’ve had a spine and a ruthless streak to them and I don’t think they’ve got that [now].
“What about Havertz though? He just cannot get a break at all. I mean, it’s a real, real problem [and has] got to be a real problem. [He is] Obviously not setting the standards at Arsenal and obviously on the international side as well.”
Can Havertz turn his fortunes around at Arsenal?
At the moment, it remains to be seen. Havertz is a player whose stock has fallen greatly over the last few years – success has largely eluded him ever since he scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final for Chelsea.
Arsenal have had a decent start to the 2023/24 Premier League season, winning three games and drawing one. Havertz, however, has stood out as one of their least impressive performers.
Thus far, despite featuring in each of their four league games so far, the German international has failed to score a goal or register an assist.
