German media have now been delivering their verdict on how Arsenal’s Kai Havertz fared up against Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk last night.
Havertz started in the false nine role again for his country against the Netherlands, a game Germany eventually won 2-1 late on.
It was actually Havertz’s replacement, Niclas Fullkrug, who won the game – a more typical fox-in-the-box type striker.
The Arsenal man played 73 minutes before being replaced, having been slightly frustrated against a back line that included Van Dijk and Manchester City’s Nathan Ake.
Of course, when you consider that Jurrien Timber is still to be added to that back line, it really is a formidable proposition.
That being said, Havertz was curtailed and frustrated in his minutes last night.
And whilst it seems that the Arsenal forward isn’t at risk of losing his starting spot for the Euros, he knows competition in Julian Nagelsmann’s team is rife.
SportsBuzzer in Germany offered their thoughts on the display, saying Havertz was nullified against the ‘powerful’ Dutch defence.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz frustrated for Germany against Virgil van Dijk last night
The review wrote: “Often had bad cards against the powerful Dutch central defence around Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake and Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt.
“Was able to assert himself once, but was then fairly stopped by Aké – not enough for a penalty.”
And as stated before, it doesn’t seem that one frustrated display will be enough to change Havertz’s strong position within the Germany set up.
With Eurosport saying something similar in their review: “The nine at Arsenal, the nine in the European Championship team – ahead of well-known alternatives like Füllkrug or Müller.
“In the Orange chain, however, [he was] sometimes lost like in the Bermuda Triangle, difficult standing against Virgil van Dijk.”
Ultimately, Arsenal fans will just be happy that Havertz is returning fit and healthy for the Man City clash, whether he was nullified against Van Dijk or not last night.
It would be a surprise if Mikel Arteta decided to drop his false nine for Sunday’s big game, even if Gabriel Jesus is now close to being fully it.
