Ian Wright has aired his frustrations with Arsenal after their most recent Premier League outing.
Arsenal dropped points for the first time in the Premier League this season on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta will feel that his side were hard done by in this fixture. The game changed early in the second half when Declan Rice was controversially sent off.
Gary Lineker feels Rice was harshly punished, and he is not alone in that assertion. Referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision has certainly sparked plenty of debate.
The call to dismiss Rice also gave the Seagulls a boost, and less than ten minutes later they were level.
However, beyond simply blaming questionable officiating for this result, Arsenal need to take responsibility for their own profligacy.
Kai Havertz put the Gunners ahead in the first half with a skilfully lofted finish. However, the hosts were dominant throughout this period and ought to have amassed a more significant lead. What’s more, they also had chances to grab a winner before the end, but spurned them.
Kai Havertz chips the ball over Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to score the Arsenal go during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and …
Ian Wright hails Kai Havertz after wasteful Arsenal display
Former striker Ian Wright has now taken issue with Arsenal’s lack of cutting edge in front of goal, with only Havertz having been able to apply a finishing touch against the south coast club.
Speaking on his Wrighty’s House podcast, he said: “Great finish. The way he took his chance, people say, ‘easy chance, goalkeeper is in no man’s land.’
“I tell you, 60,000 people there, ball going through, goalkeeper in no man’s land, you go and try and lift that over the ‘keeper and see how much you s*** yourself. That’s a confidence thing, right, he’s done it with aplomb as well. I have got no problem with that.
“The problem I have is getting the ball in the box and people taking those chances. That’s what we need to do.
“Because I’m very confident about what we are capable of doing, and I think we should’ve been three up in the first half, and I just want more people clicking into how important it is to take the chance.”
Havertz delivering for Arsenal
Havertz was given a new lease of life mid-way through last season when he was installed up front, with Arteta having previously experimented with reinventing the German as a midfielder.
Havertz has since been hailed for his development as a striker. However, if there is one thing still missing from his game it is a prolific streak.
Whilst the former Chelsea man has chipped in with some vital goals for the Gunners, he has also been guilty of missing many chances. Becoming more efficient in one-on-one situations represents the next step he needs to take, and his measured finish against Brighton suggests that he is moving in the right direction.
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