Mikel Arteta gives verdict on Kai Havertz in Community Shield

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described Kai Havertz as "superb" in the team's Community Shield win over Manchester City at the weekend.

Havertz completed a £65m transfer from Chelsea in June after struggling to realise his potential in three years at Stamford Bridge. Moving to Arsenal was seen as a fresh challenge, although the German had endured an inauspicious start to life in red and white.

He was let down by poor finishing in the Community Shield, which Arsenal eventually won on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time. Indeed, 90min rated Havertz as the Gunners’ worst player at Wembley at just 5/10.

Jack Gallagher wrote: "Utilised as a false nine due to the absence of Gabriel Jesus, the big money signing didn't exactly impress in his first notable game for Arsenal.

"The German had his chances in the first half but squandered both and his hold-up play generally wasn't up to scratch on the day. Room for improvement...to say the very least."

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But Arteta was adamant that it was a good performance.

"He was superb," the Arsenal boss declared. "The way he pressed and how intelligent he is to try and understand certain spaces and the timing, he was great and got in great positions to score. He was unlucky not to score but he was very physical when he needed to be. I was very pleased with him."

One of the issues for Havertz at Chelsea was that he often ended up in the 'number nine' role, which is not his favoured position. But he is likely to at least start the season there after Gabriel Jesus underwent knee surgery earlier this month and will miss the next few weeks to recover.

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On this edition of The Chronicles of a Gooner, part of the 90min podcast network, Harry Symeoureacts to Arsenal beating Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley!

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