89% duels lost, 1 big chance missed: 26yo Arsenal star struggles on Int'l duty, Arteta could drop him from XI

Arsenal star Kai Havertz had a frustrating outing for Germany during their 4-3 friendly win over Switzerland in Basel yesterday.

The 26-year-old made his long-awaited comeback to international football. He was unsurprisingly picked to lead the line by manager Julian Nagelsmann.

Havertz was good with his distribution, completing 88 percent of his passes (14/16). However, he struggled to impose himself as the number nine.

The German lost eight out of nine duels contested (89 percent). He had two shots on target, but squandered a big chance to beat goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

The Gunners ace was eventually replaced with Nick Woltemade shortly after the hour mark.

Havertz has had a difficult season with injuries. He sustained a long-term knee injury at the start of the campaign that kept him out of action until January.

The £65 million signing appeared to be finding form before another untimely hamstring issue.

Since his return, he has looked rusty. Havertz started in the number 10 role in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City after Eberechi Eze’s setback.

Barring one big chance missed, he was hardly in the game before his substitution in the 66th minute.

Arsenal take on Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final at St Mary’s in early April.

Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to name a strong starting XI, and it won’t come as a surprise if Havertz is dropped from the line-up after his Cup final performance.

Ideally, the Spaniard could start Bukayo Saka as an attacking midfielder, with Noni Madueke on the right wing, but the latter may have picked up an injury yesterday.

Madueke was spotted with a leg brace after his early substitution on England duty.

Martin Odegaard is widely expected to return to full training before the Saints game. The Gunners captain could be reinstated straight into the number 10 position.

There is also the temptation to play Max Dowman as the playmaker. Arteta started him against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round, and that possibility cannot be ruled out next weekend.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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