Former England star, 41, hints Arteta’s role for Kai Havertz ‘didn’t go to plan’ before Arsenal star’s transformation

MANCHESTER CITY legend Joleon Lescott claims Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had different plans for Kai Havertz after signing him last summer.

The Gunners landed Havertz, 25, from rivals Chelsea in 2023 following a £65million deal.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had a different role for Kai Havertz before his transformation as a false nineRex

Lescott praised Havertz’s performances at Arsenal and slammed the criticsGetty

The versatile German often led the Blues’ attack during his three-year stint at Stamford Bridge and scored the winner in the 2021 Champions League final against City.

Lescott, 41, expected the Germany international to play in a different position at Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta appeared to have the same idea as he hinted he would use him in midfield.

However, plans changed and Havertz quickly returned up front as a false nine and often led the North Londoners’ attack amid another round of injury hell for striker Gabriel Jesus.

Lescott praised Havertz’s ability to successfully adjust after Arteta’s original ideas “didn’t go to plan”.

Havertz received plenty of criticism for some early performances but went on to amass an impressive tally of 13 goals and seven assists in 37 Premier League appearances.

Lescott dismissed all the negativity and insists Havertz deserves more credit as he compared his style to Manchester United and Tottenham’s legendary striker Dimitar Berbatov.

The ex-England international is adamant the former Chelsea star deserves more respect as he has also proven himself as a false nine in Germany’s national team.

Lescott told SunSport: “Yeah, I think it [the criticism] was unfair. I believe when they signed him, I didn’t think he would have or play in the role that he played for them.

“I believed he would be important to them. I think Arteta had a different role for him at the start. It didn’t go to plan. And then he and the player, Kai Havertz, was able to adjust.

“And yeah, I think because we want a profile of a striker – a number nine – to have a certain look and image, I think we’re not giving him the credit as a number nine.

“But if you compare him to his style, like his attributes, are they much different to a Berbatov, really? He’s able to travel with the ball long distances, he is technically very, very good. He scores. He always looks comfortable in front of goal.

“So yeah, I think because he’s played in the previous positions, that hinders the appeal of him looking like a number nine.

“But you have to respect, you don’t play for Arsenal being a genuine title contender, playing in the Euros for one of the top nations as a number nine, and not be able to do it adequately.”

Lescott is so impressed with Havertz’s “exceptional” performances that he even questions whether the striker’s position is the most important area in which Arsenal need to strengthen this summer.

Havertz was ‘exceptional’ last season

The former centre-back doubts there are many options available and also insists Arteta’s side didn’t lose the title to his beloved City because of a lack of goals last season.

Lescott added: “I think it’s easy to suggest that [Arsenal need a striker], but are there many that are available and that guarantee you the goals they would need?

“I do believe strikers get you a different type of goal, whether it gets you more goals than Havertz, who I thought was exceptional last season.

“I do think strikers have a different knack of taking an opportunity that’s not really there. I think forwards in general want to see the goal and want to see a perfect position where forwards or strikers just go, ‘I’m just going to shoot’, and sometimes get lucky with the deflection.

“I think a striker would bring that different element to it. But again, I think just strengthening your squad, strengthening your team is important.

“[But to ] Be specific to a position is slightly harsh, because they didn’t lose the title based on just not having a striker . They did enough to win the games and scored a goal. So it’s just finding an alternative to the little bits that Arteta thinks he needs.”

Joleon Lescott was speaking on behalf of BetMGM. Play the new £1million Golden Goals game this season by predicting Premier League scores at https://www.betmgm.co.uk. BeGambleAware 18+

Arsenal boss Arteta hinted he was going to use Havertz in midfieldThe Times