Former Arsenal star, William Gallas fears ‘something is very wrong’ with the club’s summer signing, Kai Havertz following Germany’s decision to play him as a left-back against Turkey last weekend.
Havertz has endured a difficult start to his career at Arsenal since joining the Gunners from Chelsea in the summer.
The Germany international appears ill-suited to the left eight position he had originally been identified to fill at Arsenal following the departure of Granit Xhaka.
Despite his struggles at Arsenal, Havertz has remained a mainstay of the Germany national team.
The 24-year-old was recently given an unusual role – left-back – by Germany coach, Julian Nagelsmann during their friendly 3-2 defeat against Turkey.
However, Gallas is confused by Nagelsmann’s decision, insisting that the former Bayern Munich manager doesn’t respect Havertz who already appeared to be suffering a crisis of confidence at Arsenal.
“At twenty-four, Kai Havertz is playing as a left back for his country? Seriously? Something is very wrong,” Gallas told Genting Casino.
“I don’t know what to say about this. For me, to make this decision, it seems like Nagelsmann doesn’t respect Havertz as a player. Havertz has spent his entire career playing as an attacking player and then you put him in at left back?
“I really don’t know what to say about this decision…. I’m completely confused. I’m trying to think about it from the player’s point-of-view…this doesn’t look good. I don’t like this decision from the manager. This is a complete lack of respect from the manager.”
He continued: “I said at the beginning of the season that Kai Havertz would struggle for Arsenal. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but he is still struggling.
“I think it was always going to be difficult for Havertz to adapt to the way that Arsenal play and the way that Mikel Arteta wants to use him.
“I don’t think he was the type of player that Arsenal needed to sign in the summer. When you look at the squad, in my opinion, there were different types of players that they should have prioritised. It looks like it was a mistake to sign him.”
‘Something is very wrong with him’ – Gallas fears for Arsenal star
