Former Liverpool midfielder Steve Nicol was critical of the decision to allow new Arsenal signing Kai Havertz to take a penalty during the Gunners’ 4-0 romp over Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

Nicol lambasted a ‘lack of professionalism’ in the decision, saying that one of the Gunners’ designated penalty takers should have stepped up.

In the end, the risk paid off – Havertz comfortably dispatched the spot kick to put Arsenal 3-0 up on the day. The Gunners’ other goals against Bournemouth were netted by Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard (also with a penalty) and Ben White, respectively.

What did Steve Nicol say regarding the decision to let Kai Havertz take the penalty?

Speaking to ESPN, Nicol said [via YouTube]: “If Arsenal’s life depends on it, Saka takes it or Odegaard takes it. Havertz doesn’t take it. So at 2-0 the game’s not over. It’s a lack of professionalism.

“What happens if he misses it and Bournemouth get two late goals? That’s not what you do. If you’re the coach of a team and allow that things like that to happen, then it spreads into other things. You have to be precise. And orders are orders.

“Do you think him scoring a goal there is going to make any difference to the way he plays in the middle of the park? No, it’s not. It’s unprofessional.”

Should Kai Havertz have taken the penalty for Arsenal?

The decision to allow Havertz to take the penalty was certainly a risky one – had he missed, it could have had a catastrophic effect on the outcome of the game.

However, we feel it was an educated gamble from Mikel Arteta – ultimately, it was a risk that paid off. Not only did Havertz give Arsenal a 3-0 lead after converting the spot kick, he also managed to grab that elusive first competitive goal for the Gunners.

By finally getting his Arsenal goals account underway, he can now build on this moving forwards. He has looked like a player devoid of confidence so far in a red shirt – hopefully, he can now put his slow start to life at the Emirates Stadium behind him.