'Playing in slow motion!' - Arsenal fans SLAM Havertz for Liverpool performance

Cameron Smith

• 7 Jan 2024 11:33 CST
• 5 min read

Arsenal star Kai Havertz has been subjected to a wave of criticism online after his first-half performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup Third Round.

The Germany international, who joined the Gunners for €75 million from Chelsea last summer, took five shots in the opening 45 minutes at the Emirates Stadium but was unable to beat Liverpool ‘keeper Alisson.

He missed several guilt-edge chances and took far too long to shoot on several occasions when played through on goal by one of his Arsenal team-mates.

The ex-Bayer Leverkusen man started the match as Arsenal’s number nine due to an injury to Gabriel Jesus and he was instrumental in their press as Mikel Arteta’s side swarmed Liverpool.

The Gunners were by far the better side during the first-half and Liverpool were lucky to be level at half-time.

Despite his impressive out-of-possession work, Havertz lacked a clinical final touch and his work on the ball didn’t match his work-rate.

The former Chelsea man completed just four of his eight attempted passes in the first-half, while he only won one of his five aerial duels and one of his three ground duels.

It was a similar story to much of his Chelsea career where Havertz’s technical quality and superb pressing didn’t result in a final finish.

Fans online were quick to slam the Arsenal forward after the first 45 minutes of action at the Emirates Stadium.

What has been said about Kai Havertz?