‘Havertz and Raya make Arsenal WEAKER’

Carlo Garganese

• 22 Oct 2023 14:15 BST
• 3 min read

Craig Burley believes that summer Arsenal signings Kai Havertz and David Raya actually make the Gunners weaker rather than stronger.

Arsenal spent heavily this past summer, splashing out €235 million on new players in an attempt to strengthen a title challenge that fell just short last season.

Two of the biggest signings were Kai Havertz from Chelsea for €75m and David Raya from Brentford on an initial €4m loan deal that could become permanent for another €31m.

READ MORE: Premier League January transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

However, both Havertz and Raya have struggled so far.

What did Burley say?

“The two big talking points of the summer - Havertz and Raya - are making Arsenal weaker and not stronger,” Burley said on ESPN.

“One, Havertz, has been taken out of the team already and the other we will see.

“Arsenal are a poorer defensive side with Raya instead of Ramsdale.

“I’m not sure about his positioning for Mykhailo Mudryk’s goal [for Chelsea against Arsenal on Saturday].”

Havertz has already lost his place in the starting XI after scoring just one goal (a penalty) and getting one assist in 13 games.

Raya, meanwhile, has not justified, usurping Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper and has made a string of mistakes.