By Gabriel Agbonlahor

15th Sep, 2023 | 11:40am

Arsenal told to scrap Kai Havertz plan - 'he's got stage fright', says Agbonlahor

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Arsenal can’t afford to “take chances” by keeping Kai Havertz in the starting lineup.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 24-year-old has “stage fright” after his big-money move to the Gunners.

Havertz has started each of Arsenal’s five games this season, playing alongside Martin Odegaard in an unfamiliar central midfield role for four of those outings.

The Germany international is yet to contribute a goal or assist for his new club.

He signed a contract until June 2028 and cost a reported £65million when he joined the Gunners from Chelsea earlier this summer.

Havertz contributed just 32 goals in 139 games for the Blues but is best remembered at Stamford Bridge for his Champions League-winning goal against Man City in the 2021 final.

Arsenal have started the 2023-24 campaign by picking up 10 points from a possible 12 ahead of Sunday’s (17 September) away clash at Everton.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s very difficult because Arsenal can’t afford to drop points.

“You can’t be a player down in the Premier League, and I do feel like they are with Havertz on the pitch.

“He showed nothing at Chelsea which made him worth the transfer fee. It’s a very strange signing, for me.

“It looks like he’s got stage fright. 

“If I’m Arsenal, I’m taking him out of the starting lineup. Arteta can bring him on, and maybe he scores – which will get his confidence back up.

“But I don’t think they can keep taking chances because it will be a tough game against Everton.”

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