If Shaka doesn't see it, we know it's a great move.

Stevie: When's the last time Havertz won the ball back? Havertz: most possession won in the final third, most ariel duels won, most ground duels won this season. How these clowns are getting paid to talk about football is insane.

Odegaard and a well coached Havertz in Arsenal's system, with Jesus hovering around interchanging with Martinelli or Trossard and Saka is an absolute nightmare. People don't realise that Xhaka's lack of mobility being replaced with Havertz pace and ability to drive into space means Arsenal's attack will have no restraints, no leash on it.

Thank christ he doesnt manage Arsenal

Love the Havertz signing because he is young, promising, and talented, which means… Competition! Havertz can be midfielder, center forward, or wing. He is there to keep players on their toes in my viewpoint. I also believe Arteta and this hungry young team will bring the most of Havertz . Hoping for the best for him even though he left my favorite club.

Shaka is a fool. Rice at 6, Havertz and Odeegard as 8s and we have a chance to push Man City again

Dear Shaka, Pep asked Declan where he'd want to go. Declan said Arsenal. Full stop.

1:18 “Always Injured” 😂

😂 the bias! So now the talk isn’t about Arsenal’s ability to sign Rice, it’s now about where he fits in the squad. 😂

Declan Rice fits Arsenal perfectly well. Yes the price tag he isn't worth 105 million and there are some who hype him up as a world class player, but some who think that he's one of the most overrated players in the premier league. At 24, he has over 200+ appearances for his club, he's a starter for the England national team, has helped West Ham qualify for European football and in his last ever game for the football club, he helped them win their first trophy in decades people can talk about the Conference League as a mickey mouse trophy (hey Declan Rice played for West Ham and has more trophies than international teammate Harry Kane). Adding him to the team he absolutely is a perfect fit for Arsenal. he adds balance to the team, has crisp passing, solid defensively, and is great at breaking up attacks. He is the difference in Arsenal winning a premier league title or not, even if he's a defensive midfielder, his presence in that team can make them better and he has lots of experience at club and international level, so yes Declan Rice would be a great fit for Mikel Arteta's project, I said it for months regardless of the transfer fee they're paying for him.

Kai is a solid player, he just wasn’t used well at Chelsea

Havertz is an exceptional player. He is a very good No. 10. Mikel is drawing may boxes and triangles on the field.

Partay was one of their best players last year so its mad to drop him

*Isn’t this the same Stevie who only a couple days ago was saying no way Rice goes to Arsenal with the City interest?*

It's probably worth mentioning when Wijnaldum joined Liverpool he was an attacking midfielder/ no.10-ish. But he gradually converted to a box-to-box midfielder. To show you how much his role changed in his one premier league season at Newcastle he had 11 goals and 5 assists and 6 goals and 9 assists in his first season at Liverpool. In the next 4 seasons, in the league he had a total of 8 goals and 2 assists. And yet despite the drop in numbers, his importance to Liverpool grew greater. Now I'm not saying this is what Havertz will do. But you have to wait till at least some games have been played before you can talk about how he fits the system. And even then we might only get better insight in his 2nd season.

Everyone is salty my club is back THE ARSENAL IS BACK ❤

That proves Steve didnt really see havertz playing, specially for Leverkusen. He is very dynamic, creative and also a good tackler. Arsenal is so much stronger now.

I can perfectly see what Arteta is trying to do, replacing Xhaka with Havertz and getting Rice instead of Partey. I hope Partey doesn’t leave because he’s been world class, top 3 Cdm itw the whole season, he is getting old i get it so he could be a rotational player, and it’s important to have a young Cdm that’s what we’ve been missing since a while. With Rice and Havertz playing in the starting line up, it will be a 4-3-3 formation to start the game, then it will switch to 4-1-4-1 with Jesus at the attack, Martinelli and Saka on the wing, with Havertz and Ødegaard as a CAM with Kai with a more different role than Ødegaard (pass distributor). With Zinchenko being an inverted left back and basically a defensive midfielder when the team has possession, he will be there to support Havertz and play as a double pivot with Rice during that moment

This is exhibit A why KZfaqrs and Podcasters bring better analysis these days. There are entire compilations of Kai pressing and retrieving the ball as well as stats. Too many traditional pundits are far behind modern methods of player analysis

Now they're sayin its alot of money .. but City paid £100m for Grealish .... if arsenal had pulled out of this bid these same critics would have questioned our ambition

Crazy how many ppl underrate Havertz. Guy is going to kill it at Arsenal. He’s going to be allowed to make runs from midfield into the box instead of playing as a lone striker. His work rate is off the charts, great composure on the ball, and will give that aerial threat in the box they’ve been lacking as well. Bet he gets 10-12 goals and 6-8 assists in the EPL next season and that’s massive for a side who needed more production from the midfield. Basically arsenal will look like a 3-2-3-2 when attacking next season, with Zinchenko going into DM with Rice, Saka and Martenelli staying wide, odegaard floating in the center, with Jesus and Havertz running the top together

There missing the point that when Zinchenko joins the midfield Kai becomes another forward. In defense it might be a problem. There could also be a plan to switch formations as well. Kai can also be back up to all the forwards and Odegard.

Arsenal, City, Madrid, and Bayern were all interested in Havertz, yet these planks act like he’s just a completely useless player lol. I think I’ll trust Arteta and Ancelloti on this one.

To the producers of ESPN FC: Please save this clip of Stevie Nicol dismissing Arsenal's project again, when the day comes that Havertz and Rice do well for Arsenal, I want ESPN to get him to apologise on air. He's always been so quick to speak negative about Arsenal.

Kai is a 10 along with Odergaard... Double 10's..

The only thing I can think of is that Arteta meant he adds depth to Arsenal's midfield i.e. backup for Odegaard which he can do.

The salt is strong with these pundits

Man City are so smart. They just bid to raise the price to drain Arsenals funds. 200 IQ move.

Can’t wait to see more signings it’s just as exciting as waiting for a game

As a Chelsea fan i am curious if Arteta will be able to unlock what for me Harvertz obviously have as qualities frustratingly not used as N10( second striker) for us. As for Rice...he can fit in any scheme in the midfield, common now. He has being playing for WH ffs, what you expecting him to do there, win the Balon d'or? Meanwhile we are keep signing unproven though talented youngsters on ridiculous fees and unheard in this game super long contracts so to " secure" them 😊.

Lmao!! What does he mean he can't see it? What is he on about?

Martin Keown vibes coming off this guy, big style. What a significant player. Arsenal are back!

Arsenal now have a great front 5 who all can move into different positions and score. And then you still have Trossard, ESM and Viera on the bench. We just need another right winger. Timber will allow inversion on both sides. I’m sure the Arsenal goal record will be broken again this season.

Havertz will be back up to Ode and Jesus I don’t think he’ll be in a pivot with Ode. Sometimes he’ll start up top or as the forward 8

This title is misleading, he’s talking about Havertz when he says that

People are saying Shaka and Stevie are either clueless or bias, no they are not. A midfield trio of Rice, Odergaard and Kai have no chance against proper teams. It’s got to be Partey, Rice and either odegaard or Kai as the attacking midfielder

Zidane cost €77m in 2001. That's €124m (£108m) in today's money. Try again Don.

Dan nailed it, oleg moves into xhaza's role which solidifies kieran tierney at left back

1:18 Don “he’s always injured” not a ringing endorsement 😅

From the top 10 shown over there only mbappe and cr7 have lived up to the money that was spent

midfield, duh

Havertz will rotate with Odegaard and Jesus either off the bench or starting for them. Fabio Vieria was supposed to cover for Odegaard in some games but he didn’t work out so they need someone better and Havertz is that guy. I don’t see a midfield 3 of Rice, Havertz, and Odegaard working either bc they’ll be overrun in midfield with too many players forward. Think that’s why they’re in for Romeo Lavia who will play alongside Rice with either Odegaard or Havertz ahead of them

People are forgetting the role Xhaka was playing last year. Xhaka was moving more and more forward overlapping with Martinelli. Now imagine Havertz doing the same thing and how good he will be. Of course Xhaka was better defensively and helped a lot but that the only thing Arteta will have to figure out the on how to fix the defensive gap once Xhaka leaves.

Really important Rice and Havertz in for full pre season. That is worth 10 million extra. Shame we paid 30 too much for both.

As a Liverpool fan, I’m so jealous of other owners who actually spend money on their clubs. We almost win a quad and the owners barely bolster the squad. Arsenal finish second and they’ve already spent 200m before July on quality. Only chance my club ever spends 105m on a player is if we sell one for 150.

Why do they keep going on about scoring goals. His job is to allow everyone else scoring goals by controlling the midfield

Wow, these guys do not do their homework. It only takes a cursory amount of effort to see all the stats that show Kai Havertz is going to tuck in as a second striker in that left eight position and his pressing and defensive acumen off-the-wall. The stats are out there. Just do a little homework guys.

This 14 minute video clarifies why none of the ESPN panel cut it in a coaching role. Havertz is skilful, intelligent, and has oodles of potential. If they watched Arsenal last year, you'd see Xhaka consistently making runs into the box. Havertz has the legs and intelligence to improve upon that pattern of play.

Dan Thomas might aswell just asked, "Shaka, Steve, tell me why you can never succeed as a coach." this is mind numbingly ridiculous.

Only 1 player out of top10 highest tranfer list won the champions League with their respective teams.

That's and incredible light midfield defensivly.

Havertz is the bet against Stevie this season lol. Dan put that bet on. He is playing an 8. He takes Xhaka place. But its changes around him. Havertz has great pressing. Stevie hasn't actually watched Havertz beyond some highlights 😅

😂😭😭💀 And still with us… I love Dan

No one in my fantasy league has ever taken Rice on their team. However, fantasy leagues measure player contributions differently than the real world.

You would say the same thing about Joelington at Newcastle but look at him now.

Stevie Nicol has no idea how Havertz played in Germany. Arteta will let him play like he did in Germany

Only 1 player from Manchester City on the top 10 list. And then they say "Oil money" 😢

If Havertz isn't a fit in this beautiful Arsenal team imagine Mason Mount as a 8 🙆🏾‍♂️Omg

The Declan Rice signing fits like a glove. The Havertz one I still don't understand cause his best position is no. 10 but he won't bench Odegaard.

Remember when Thierry Henry was a winger and had to switch to a striker and look how that turned out

I dont think Arsenal have nicked it from under Citys nose, you are entitled to feel that way thought. But when looking at Citys previous dealings it is pretty clear that they do not go over their valuation for any player these days. Especially when you have a starter like Rodri, you do not outbid another team for a non-starter. Only time will tell if City really should have gone for Rice no matter what the price.

Havertz was "at his best dropping into midfield on the occasion " so how does Shaka not see the potential? I watched his reels and he looks like he could definitely be an attacking midfield player.

Sorry «experts», you guys are out of date for this job. Placing Havertz does not say he will play as a center midfield like in 90s. Same with Zinchenko does not bomb down the wing, but cover that area you think Havertz are asked to play when placed as an 8. Liverpool practially played with 2 defenders for years, letting TAA and Robertson attack at the same time, but now suddenly Arsenal can’t have 3 defenders, letting 1 cover center mid. It might actually be 2 defenders, letting also Timber go up and releasing Rice higher up.

I can see arsenal using the havertz rice martin midfield vs weaker sides that will sit back and defend BUT use partey instead of havertz vs top 8 sides

It's crazy that none of those top 10 transfers (excluding Grealish, Enzo and Rice) won the UCL(what most of them were signed for), all of them were somewhat of a waste of money.

I understand their points, but I can see Havertz thriving in that left half space, but also I have concerns over his defensive ability and also him playing with Jesus. I think Havertz thrives playing with a pure striker, not a false 9 like Jesus . Hopefully it works out

I wanna hear the price tag mentioned every game next season

Shaka has the inteeligence equivalent to an Oxylotl. Anyone saying that the gunners won't make top 4 is just a hater.

In goal position is suitable for him

There are more than 11 players in a team Steve.

How can he not see it? He is playing Xhaka's role or Partey's role.

It’s ridiculous they don’t understand how Arsenal build in possession: they maintain a back 3 of White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko Inverts to midfield next to (likely) rice, Saka and Martinelli hug either side and odegaard and (in this example) Havertz would play in the inside under Jesus (who himself will drop deeper centrally) Kai Havertz won’t “sit there) he’ll be playing with zinchenko and rice behind him, Martinelli wide left and Jesus and odegaard to his right… he’ll be in a more advanced position with quality players in every direction around him. I can definitely see why arteta views this position as one suited to Havertz…

Ian Wright knew these signings would happen. He said early on last season, if Arsenal get top 4, he knows there are huge players who are going to join. Turns out Wrighty was correct. Also, Salah and De Bruyne were flops for Chelsea and look at what they acheived afterwards.

Honestly, someone get these guys some stats, Havertz is actually great at pressing and winning the ball high up the pitch

Zidane went for 45 mil. Mate, do you understand what happens over time? Used to buy a house for 40 grand, now it’s over 300, they aren’t worth that.🤦🏻‍♂️

Can’t wait for Havertz to prove the doubters wrong

Arsenal getting Havertz is for depth. I agree he might not be a starter, but he certainly is going to be resourceful to the team

More than Bellingham to Real. Thats nuts. But glad its done now with Havertz. Hope Don always injured isn't a mystic Meg moment. 😢

Steve Nicole can’t digest that Arsenal is getting better than liverpool😅😅😅

Cmon Stevie lol Havertz has been top 5 with non-defenders in aerial duels and successful pressures. And top 5 in runs, distance covered and forward pass success. 🤦🏾‍♂️

5:45 ESPN FC Please Clip this Stevie Moment it has come back to bite you capabilities

Havertz's versatility will help Arsenal play with a "False 9" in matches were they need to congest the midfield. We are talking about 2 CBs and 8 midfielders. If you check how Chelsea beat Man City to the Champions League and FA Cup in 2021, you will understand. Anyone who says Arsenal will not finish in the Top 4 is just a hater, with an old mentality. Arsenal literally cut through the EPL from no.20 into the Top 4 in 2021/22, then finished 2nd after spending more than 3/4 of the 2022/23 season on top. Just shows you the power that team has. Relying on a few players has been costly in the last 10 games for the past 2 seasons, that's what they are fixing.

Haverts will back up the front three. He'll play as a false nine with those great wingers when Arteta wants to change tactics.

Yeah, honestly i agree with these guys, Kai doesnt make sense and that formation foesnt work either with him in it. We need a proper 8 and not taking chances on players like Kai. People realize Youri is also up for grabs right

What do you mean you don't see it?! It's taken Arsenal almost 20 years to replace Patrick Vieira!!

“Don’t know why but arsenal won’t make top 4” GD I respect that lol

Partey, Rice and Odegard midfield will be a nightmare for many

Does anyone understand inflation and the decaying purchasing power of fiat currency..? Zidane for 46 mil in 2001 is like 200+ mil today 😂 Called the invisible tax. Check it out…I’d expect professional pundits to at least acknowledge basic economic principles when making these comparisons. Rice is not a bargain but definitely worth what Arsenal pay. He’s absolutely world class.

Rice’s a decent player but £105m is way too much and just imagine if it was united that was going to pay that money,the story will be totally different

You guys are obsessed with the structures of old. Arteta has already said that he does not build or plan his teams with those structures in mind. He's building versatility, technicality and physicality into the squad. It will move and shift as it needs to. Arsenal now have intelligent, skilled and technical players in every position. Steve and Shaka, prepare to be educated.

too funny people act like is unbelievably amazing when someone plays in different position to normal 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Arsenal has now becoming more ruthless in the transfer market. However it's now or never for Arteta as they yet to win a single trophy last season so it's no more excuse for him as the board already splurging so much cash on players.

On the Havertz argument, this panel seems to forget Joelinton came TO Newcastle a striker

Title is misleading. Shaka and Stevie don't see Havertz fitting in Gunners system. I kind of agree. Nothing but praise for Rice's signing though. Can play 6,7 or 8 in Arsenal's 4-3-3. Rice is a Great signing although 20 mil over value or so

Liverpool got Alexis McAllister for 55 Million, meanwhile arsenal spent more than double that for Declan rice 🤦‍♂️

Not really bothered by what Shaka doesn't see, he had the tendency not to see the ball very often when he played so it frequently finished at the back of the net.

Why they do Shaka like that lol that caption he CLEARLY was talking about Havertz and not Rice lol

Rice at the base but his build up olay from back is poor. But we have Saliba Zinchenko? Timber Gabriel White around him who can progress the ball.

I don't understand why everyone is now saying Man City put a bid in to drive up the price. West Ham had already refused Arsenal's second offer. Arsenal were already known to be putting in a third bid, which was expected to be at the hundred million... even some stupid person from Talk Sports saying that Arteta made a call to Guardiola... I suppose you have to get clicks some way

Stevie just thinks if he gets angry then it makes his point more valid. Havertz is in the highest percentile of the league for off the ball stats! When Arteta says 'strength' it doesnt have to be taken so literally. *facepalm*