The arrival of the international break is undoubtedly a rare respite for Arsenal midfielder Kai Havertz. He had quite a tough time early in the season, and the £65 million worth seemed to be a burden for him. Havertz's performance has been a hotly debated topic and most of the discussion has not been positive. His every movement was heavily censored, sometimes even provoking ridicule and criticism. Back in pre-season, one of his volley challenges caused concern, reminiscent of the equally disturbing performance of Darwin Núñez's first months at Liverpool last year. And some of his lazy performances have also raised concerns. Just last weekend, he missed a great chance just 10 yards from goal before VAR withdrew another penalty, which sparked widespread controversy.
Arteta said: "Fabio has changed a little and the audience has noticed. He has become more mature, more experienced and more confident in the team. Arteta hopes Kai Havertz will regain his confidence as soon as possible. For Arsenal, they understand that a draw is almost tantamount to defeat in the fight for the title against Manchester City, as the competition is so fierce that there is little room for error. In this high-pressure environment, there is no room for constant mistakes or waiting for players to gradually regain their form. And as Vieira gets better and better, Havertz's task becomes even tougher. At times, Vieira looks like a replica of Edgaard, his passing is precise and varied, and his game is full of energy, which is exactly what Havertz lacks.
There is a view that Havertz may be able to benefit from Vieira's "run-in period", but the situation is different. Patrick Vieira arrived with just one full senior season, while Kai Havertz has been in the span of five years, scoring the winning goal in both the Champions League and the Club World Cup final. As a result, higher expectations were placed on him. After all, spending £65 million on players is not something they are allowed to adapt to. Especially in the Premier League, you can't afford to wait for anyone, especially when Manchester City are showing such a high standard in the title fight. Ultimately, Arteta will be thankful for the respite the international break has given the team, as it will give him enough time to allocate his playing time, which is also possible
In this competitive world of football, every player must constantly adapt and improve. Havertz may be facing difficult times, but this is not the fixation of his life, but a period of transition. Like Darwin Núñez and Vieira, he has the opportunity to eventually find his place through hard work and adaptation. The world of football is full of stories of all kinds, and Kai Havertz's story may just be the beginning.
The season has been a challenging time for Arsenal as they aspire to return to the top of the Premier League. In such a fierce competition, every player plays an indispensable role. Both Kai Havertz and Patrick Vieira have their own missions, and the international break provides them with a precious opportunity to adjust and improve their performance to meet the challenges ahead.