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Ex-Arsenal chief David Dein accuses Mikel Arteta of ‘damaging image of club’ with VAR rant
Arsenal have been told to use under-fire summer signing Kai Havertz in a swap deal to land Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz. Havertz has only been at the Emirates for a few months since departing Chelsea in a £65million summer move, but has struggled to hit the ground running.
The German has often found himself out of Mikel Arteta’s preferred starting line-up and his only goal for the club came from a charitable penalty against Bournemouth, when Bukayo Saka offered his team-mate the chance to score from the spot. He was even tried as a makeshift left-back for Germany in their recent match against Turkey – scoring in a 3-2 defeat.
Former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant has insisted that Havertz is not the right fit for the Gunners and believes he should be traded in for one of his compatriots. Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz has impressed in the Bundesliga and has been tipped for a move to the Premier League, with Liverpool and Chelsea said to be interested in the £70m-rated man.
“That Kai Havertz signing hasn’t worked,” Pennant told King Casino Bonus. “I thought I’d give him some time to settle in, but that period is over now. I think he’s been a poor signing. I don’t understand what he brings to the team as he’s not scoring or assisting. It’s bizarre as Arteta seems to believe in him.
Kai Havertz has already been tipped to leave Arsenal. (Image: Getty)
“I think Arsenal should have gone for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. His footballing IQ is off the charts! He’s not a speed-merchant, but he’s clever on the ball and he seems to always pick the right pass.
“His assists are great, he has an eye for goal, and I think he’d be a fantastic addition to Arsenal. He’d fit in perfectly there. Wirtz would be a lot cheaper, and they should trade him in for Kai!”
Chelsea Set Kai Havertz Price Tag Amid Interest From Real Madrid
Arsenal have been urged to swap Kai Havertz for Florian Wirtz. (Image: Getty)
Wirtz will be in high demand when the transfer window opens and Arsenal would face strong competition from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool if they are interested in the 20-year-old forward. The Daily Star have claimed that Jurgen Klopp is a big admirer of the young German and he could fill Mohamed Salah’s boots at Anfield if the Egyptian does leave for Saudi Arabia.
While TEAMtalk insist that Chelsea and Manchester City are firmly in the race for Wirtz’s signature, as his performances under Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso have piqued the interest of many of Europe’s elite.
Arsenal could have an advantage over their rivals, however, if they offer Havertz in exchange. He did impress at the German club previously, having come through their academy and became a Bundesliga star before moving to Stamford Bridge in 2020 for £72m.
