Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman have admitted that Arsenal’s recent free-scoring form has proven their calls for Arsenal to sign a new number 9 to be wrong.
Sutton and Ladyman, Mail Sport’s co-hosts It all starts podcast, made the admission following the Gunners’ stunning form at the start of 2024, when they also touted £65m to sign Kai Havertz as a ‘key cog’ in their title-chasing side.
Arsenal have won all seven Premier League matches this year, scoring 31 goals and conceding just three.
The Gunners’ 6-0 win over Sheffield United on Monday saw Mikel Arteta’s side become the league’s top scorers this season.
Havertz has found the net in the last three Premier League matches, with the German operating in both midfield and up front.
Kai Havertz has emerged as a key part of Arsenal’s title-chasing team in recent weeks
He scored for the third consecutive time in the Premier League in Arsenal’s 6–0 win over Sheffield United
It’s All Kicking Off presenters Chris Sutton (left) and Ian Ladyman admit they were wrong about Arsenal
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Sutton had previously claimed Havertz looked like a ‘broken man’ and was shackled by Arteta’s decision to play him as a number 9.
The Premier League winner admitted Havertz’s recent performances have validated Arteta’s signing and tactics.
“We all had our opinions on it (signing No. 9), I think I actually had very different opinions on it because I thought maybe they needed someone,” Sutton said.
“You know who has been so important to them? Kai Havertz. When he first went there, I think he was really undermined and there was a lot of negativity towards him.
“He has proven to be a key figure in this Arsenal team and his forward movements when he plays as a number eight, always running at the back and sometimes there is rotation.
‘He is now a regular for Mikel Arteta.
‘Arteta looks really justified when it comes to his signature choice. Everyone talks about Declan Rice and I completely understand that, but Kai Havertz, under the radar, I think the Arsenal fans appreciate what an important player he has been.
“He’s one where I’ve actually sat up and looked at him lately and thought, ‘Damn, Arsenal can’t do it without him.’
Sutton believes Mikel Arteta has been proven right for signing Havertz last summer
Arteta has publicly praised Havertz’s ‘character and attitude’ in response to questions about his form early in his Arsenal career.
The Arsenal manager’s praise was echoed by Ladyman, who highlighted Havertz’s mental strength to become a ‘star member of the team’.
Mail Sport’s football editor recalled a conversation with Sutton earlier this season after Arsenal supporters criticized Havertz following a poor performance in their 3-1 win over Man United in September.
“Havertz’s recovery from the early season problems tells us a lot about the incredible mental strength that most footballers have,” Ladyman said.
“If you’re on my side of the fence, that’s one of the things you wonder about with professional football players.
‘The confidence, belief and ability to bounce back from setbacks, disappointments and criticism always impress me and that is a great example.
‘I remember being at the Emirates at the start of the season when Arsenal beat Manchester United, I think, and Havertz essentially had an open goal from six yards and missed the ball, he didn’t miss the goal, he missed the ball.
Ian Ladyman praised Havertz’s mental strength after criticism early in his Arsenal career
‘You and I talked afterwards about how he looked devastated so early in his Arsenal career and was booed by Arsenal fans because of his Chelsea connections.
“Here we are six months later and he’s a star member of the team.”
Havertz has now started 19 of Arsenal’s 26 Premier League matches this season, with eight goals and three assists in all competitions.
The Germany international is likely to be involved as Arsenal host Brentford on Saturday as the Gunners bid to top the table ahead of Liverpool’s clash with fellow title chasers Man City.