Arsene Wenger expresses a severe prediction regarding the performance of Arsenal’s striker Kai Havertz…

Arsene Wenger shares a candid prediction about the future of Arsenal’s Kai Havertz.

Arsene Wenger has acknowledged Kai Havertz’s significant role in Arsenal’s recent achievements but expressed concerns that he may not evolve into a consistent goalscorer.

After a challenging start to his tenure with the Gunners, where he struggled to meet the expectations of the midfield position assigned to him, Havertz’s fortunes changed dramatically when Mikel Arteta shifted him to a central forward role.

This adjustment has seen the 25-year-old become a key player for the team, particularly since the beginning of the year.

However, it was unexpected when Havertz chose not to take a penalty during Tuesday night’s match against Shakhtar Donetsk, passing the opportunity to Leandro Trossard instead.

Trossard’s subsequent miss meant Arsenal had to endure a tense finish, a situation that might have been avoided had Havertz, known for his strong penalty record, taken the shot in the absence of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

Wenger appreciates Havertz’s overall contributions to the team, which justify his prominent role in Arteta’s strategy.

Nevertheless, he cautioned that expectations regarding Havertz’s goal-scoring capabilities should be realistic.

In a discussion with beIN Sport, Wenger stated that while Havertz is a valuable all-around player who works diligently both defensively and offensively, he is unlikely to match the goal tally of England captain Harry Kane.

He characterized Havertz as more of a “10-and-a-half” or “nine-and-a-half” player.

Havertz plays a more versatile role in the game, contributing significantly on both ends of the pitch.

Defensively, he puts in considerable effort, while offensively, his goal tally falls short of Kane’s, and he is unlikely to reach the same scoring heights.

He is better described as a player who operates between a traditional number 10 and a number 9.

Kane, on the other hand, is the quintessential center forward.

He spent many years with a team that struggled to secure victories, and they have not achieved success since his departure.

In a related discussion about contemporary strikers, Wenger praised Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who showcased his skills in a dominant 5-0 victory over Sparta Prague.

“He still possesses remarkable instinct and timing,” Wenger noted. “This season, I’ve witnessed him score remarkable goals, expertly controlled with his left foot and finished with his right.

“What stands out in today’s game is that Haaland is still relatively new to football.

He has extraordinary talent, and considering he has another 13 or 14 years ahead of him, it’s exciting to think about his potential, especially since strikers can continue playing until their mid-30s.

“They gain experience with every match.”