📢 On Havertz
A player who embodies dearth of nuance in sporting discourse
Both things can be true. It’s a statement I’ve increasingly lent on as a framework to view the world. Especially sport.
It’s true that Arne Slot has done a ridiculously good job at Liverpool. And it is also true that Jurgen Klopp and the state in which he left the club have also played a large role in his success.
Yes, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma shouldn’t be made scapegoats for India’s batting failures in their recent series. And also, it’s time for them to retire from the format.
Few players have embodied this greyness of sport in the way Kai Havertz has.
Both things can be true. Havertz is a crucial part of the Arsenal frontline. And, Arsenal do need to sign another forward.
The German has had a good season so far. He has already matched his tally (14) for last year and is Arsenal’s top scorer in all competitions. And yet, he hasn’t had a single match-winning performance. In fact, he was a central culprit in the FA Cup loss to Manchester United and his haphazard finishing in the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal against Newcastle have left Arsenal on the brink of exit.
Aesthetics, not ability, lies at the core of the Havertz discourse. The fact of the matter is that the languid German is a deeply unsexy footballer. Each facet of his game - from passing to finishing to pressing - sees functionality trump flair. It’s where Mikel Arteta’s devotion to him stems from.
The 25-year-old isn’t a great-goalscorer but isn’t a scorer of great goals either. His catalogue comprises prods and pokes than pearls, with just one of his 28 goals for Arsenal coming from outside the box. From attempted headers hitting his shoulder to mis-kicks to shoots ballooned over from close range, his misses are more superlative than his strikes.
And yet, his eight league goals this campaign show he is on par with his xG of 8.4. Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins have all missed more Big Chances than him this season.
Not only does Havertz spotlight our struggles with accepting multiple truths, but also shines a light on the human tendency to scapegoat. It’s easier to blame Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal on Havertz than to recognise systemic failings.
Arsenal forwards have shared the goals among them under Arteta. In 2022-23, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard each bagged 15 goals in all competitions, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah scoring 20 between them. In 2023-24, Saka got 20, Trossard 17, Havertz 14 and Odegaard 11.
However, this season the frontline barring Havertz have managed 30 goals put-together. The German has borne the brunt of criticism because he has had to carry the weight of the attack.
Havertz isn’t the type of forward to single-handedly lead a title charge. It’s an easy claim to make given his recent form. But, it overlooks his 15 goal contributions in the last 14 games of last season that nearly won Arsenal the league.
Now, sprinkle some nuance onto that above statement and you will see it develop a conjugate.
Yes, Havertz isn’t going to single-handedly win you a title. And, he can also be a key figure in a title-winning squad. Both things can be true.
Consumption Corner
What I’m reading: I’m slowly redeveloping my habit of reading the Semafor Flagship newsletter each morning. The reading experience is exquisite and I’ve found it the most digestible way to consume the news. Highly recommend!
What I’m watching: Went to the Barbican Centre again last week to watch the Bob Dylan biopic A Great Unknown. ‘Bewitched by some parts, bored by others. One to watch in the theatre than on streaming, for sure,’ is what I wrote on Letterboxd.
What I’m listening to: Immensely relevant this week.