Mikel Arteta urged to drop Arsenal’s ‘own Dirk Kuyt’ for crucial Man City clash with Gunners facing mini injury crisis
MIKEL ARTETA has been urged to drop Arsenal’s “own Dirk Kuyt” from the starting XI.
The Gunners face off with Manchester City this weekend and could be without star man Bukayo Saka after he limped off injured in the North Londoners’ 2-1 loss to Lens in midweek.
However, former Liverpool and Arsenal star Jermaine Pennant has drawn comparisons between Dutch star Dirk Kuyt and Kai Havertz.
Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea over the summer and has been featuring in an experimental left-sided No8 role despite predominantly playing as a false nine for the Blues.
This new position has only seen the German score once, coming from the penalty spot against Bournemouth.
But Pennant, 40, insists Arteta should drop Havertz out of the team.
He explained Havertz’s best role is unknown, much like Kuyt’s role was when he shared the Reds’ dressing room with Pennant.
Speaking to Lucky Block via the Express, Pennant said: “Havertz has to be on the bench, for me.
“Havertz wouldn’t start for me and I’d have to ask him where he plays! If he says as a striker, or a 10, or an 8, I’d stick him there and let him express himself.
“Theo [Walcott] had pace, so you could play him anywhere in the forward line and get away with it. You can’t do that with Havertz as he’s not quick or massively skillful.
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“When I think of players I played with who were unsure of their best position, I’d say Dirk Kuyt comes to mind. I used to ask him if he was a winger or a striker!
“He couldn’t do what I did and put in crosses for Crouchy [Peter Crouch] or Fernando [Torres] and I used to be annoyed when the team sheet would arrive and he’d be on the right! I swear he played as a striker for Feyenoord!
“It’s difficult as so much of football hinges on confidence. If players aren’t well-drilled in where they play, then it’s hard to launch a career. It can also make the team worse as it can put them out of sync.”
Regardless of wins in this season’s Community Shield and a pair of FA Cup wins in 2020 and 2017, Arsenal have not beaten Man City in the Premier League since 2015.
And Pennant believes this streak will continue on Sunday.
He added: “City are the favourites regardless of the opposition, so I’d say they’ll beat Arsenal.
“I’m going for 2-1 City. Stranger things have happened, though! Wolves did it, so why can’t Arsenal?”
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