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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Paul Merson backs Kai Havertz to ‘rise to the top’ at Arsenal in Mesut Ozil comparison

Paul Merson has backed Kai Havertz to come good for Arsenal.

The £65m summer signing has endured a difficult start to life with the Gunners, operating in a deeper role to the one he occupied with Chelsea.

Havertz is yet to fully convince under Mikel Arteta but the Arsenal manager has stressed the German international will improve as he gets to grips with his new position.

Fabio Vieira, meanwhile, has impressed during his cameo appearances this season, while the likes of Emile Smith Rowe offer further competition.

Havertz proved a divisive figure towards the back-end of his time at Chelsea too but former Gunners star Merson believes the “cream will rise to the top.”

“I feel for Kai Havertz. He’s playing in a position where it’s not easy,” he told Sky Sports.

“He hasn’t played very well.

“Mikel Arteta will stick with him. He’s low on confidence but Arsenal have won three and drawn one. You’ve paid that money and put yourself out there to go and get him.

“The cream rises to the top. I’m a big fan but I did say when he got signed, he has got that look of Mesut Ozil about him.

“That’s the problem. If it isn’t going well, he doesn’t look too interested. That’s not the case - it just comes across like that.”

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