Jamie O'Hara's savage Kai Havertz prediction is already coming true at Arsenal

Jamie O’Hara’s savage Kai Havertz prediction may already be coming true at Arsenal.

The Gunners spent £65million to sign Havertz from Chelsea this summer in a deal that raised eyebrows in certain quarters of the football world.

Since then, the German international has started all of his side's opening four Premier League fixtures but received criticism for failing to make a major impact on his side’s fortunes.

Speaking about the negativity surrounding him, Havertz said via Football.London: “Sure, things like that keep you busy. But I’ve often had a phase where you often only see the negative. It’s not the first club where I’m starting over.

“Of course, you want to be successful as quickly as possible, but I know that there are phases like that. I try to approach it in a relaxed manner.”

One pundit who predicted Havertz’s tough start at the Emirates is Jamie O’Hara. The former Spurs midfield issued a brutal assessment of Havertz following Arsenal Community Shield triumph back in August.

Speaking on talkSPORT at the time, O’Hara said: "Kai Havertz, Arsenal fans can have their say on this, but he can't hit a barn door.

"We know what he's going to give you - he's going to give you hold-up play, he's going to work hard, but he's going to let you down when it comes to the crunch.

“And they have to sort that problem because [Gabriel] Jesus is injured. He picks up too many injuries."

While O’Hara’s criticism appears prophetic at this early juncture of Havertz’s Arsenal career, Mikel Arteta has defended the 24-year-old’s performances.

Following Sunday's 3-1 victory against Manchester United, Arteta compared the start of the playmaker's career at the club to when the Spaniard met his wife.

When asked about Havertz's difficult start to his Gunners career, Arteta told Sky Sports: "I said to him yesterday (Saturday), things are a little bit hard at the beginning.

“When I met my wife at the beginning it was hard to conquer her, I had to try and message and go and go. At the end when she said, ‘Yes, we want to be together’, it's beautiful.

"I said in the first day you know it’s not that great. So it’s good, but I think the crowd was really good with him today.”

Topics: Football, Arsenal, Kai Havertz, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.