Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree over Kai Havertz and pick out Arsenal star’s weakness

Kai Havertz's stunning goal-scoring run for Arsenal has caught the eye of Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker, but the latter believes the German forward still has a key weakness

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer heaped praise on Kai Havertz’s “fantastic” performance against PSG - but believe the Arsenal striker’s weakness is still his finishing.

Havertz under Mikel Arteta this season is almost unrecognisable to the meek player who the Gunners signed from rivals Chelsea last summer. Arsenal’s decision to splash £65million on him was criticised and mocked by pundits and rival fans alike, and the German appeared to struggle early on in the 2023/24 season.

But the floodgates soon opened and, as he grew in confidence, Havertz became an integral member of the team in leading the front line - a role he has carried on to great effect in the early part of this season. The versatile playmaker and target man was rewarded with another goal in the Champions League group stage tie against PSG on Tuesday night.

He displayed expert timing and desire to get into the box, meeting Leandro Trossard’s cross and beating both the defenders and goalkeeper to nod the ball in for Arsenal’s 20th minute opener. It marked his fifth goal already across nine matches this season in all competitions, while Bukayo Saka’s free-kick ensured a comfortable 2-0 win at home against the Parisians.

Havertz’s sublime movement and aerial prowess on his way to securing the Man of the Match award impressed Newcastle legend Shearer, who was no stranger to scoring such goals throughout his own playing career. And the pundit’s fellow England hero and long-time colleague Lineker was in firm agreement.

Shearer said on The Rest Is Football podcast: “What about Havertz’s performance? Because I thought he was fantastic. He put in a proper centre forward’s performance. For the goal he was really, really brave. It was a great cross but he didn’t shy away from getting it.

“Even taking the goal away, I just thought his hold up play - when they needed a foul he won his team a foul. I thought he was clever and I thought it was a brilliant performance from him.”

Lineker chimed in: “I totally agree, Alan. I like Havertz, I’ve liked a lot of his performances.” But the Match of the Day host also pointed out a flaw in the forward’s game. He added: “The only thing is he doesn’t look to me like the kind of striker to score 25 or 30 goals a season. But he’s got a lot about him.

“He holds the ball up really well. He’s got a lovely touch and a deftness to his game. He’s probably learning the role a bit as well because he’s obviously quite late to it but I was really impressed.

“The only thing is he does miss quite a lot of chances and probably not the best finisher. But even that with the fact he’s in those positions could improve, definitely.”

Havertz, who emerged primarily as an attacking-midfielder at Bayer Leverkusen, scored just 32 goals for Chelsea across 139 appearances prior to his move across London. His best season tally to date came in his third season with the German side in 2018/19, when he netted an impressive 20 goals in 42 appearances.

For Arsenal, he ended last season with a respectable tally of 13 in the league, finishing the campaign strongly after a slow start. And his goal-scoring form against PSG made him just the fourth player in the Emirates Stadium era to score in six consecutive home appearances for Arsenal, alongside Robin van Persie in 2011/12, Emmanuel Adebayor in 2007/08 and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang in 2019.

Havertz, who has quickly become a favourite of Arsenal’s training ground staff with his attitude and off-pitch character, will be delighted that he is in the company of former Gunners greats. He has the chance to match Van Persie’s record of seven consecutive home goals when Southampton visit in Saturday’s Premier League clash.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Get the new Arsenal shirt for 2024/2025

The new Arsenal shirt for next season is now on sale
Ranging from £55-£110

The new shirt has returned the Gunners to their roots placing a stripped-down, elegant-looking canon right over the heart of the new shirt. Shirt manufacturers Adidas have produced a "clean and minimal" and the design "embraces modernity, while honouring Arsenal’s rich heritage.

Adidas
Buy it now

Join our new WhatsApp community __and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our _Privacy Notice.