EPL: Mikel Arteta Psychologically ‘Killing’ Arsenal Star – Sutton Claims

Former Chelsea star Chris Sutton has claimed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is psychologically ‘killing’ Kai Harvertz by deploying him as a center-forward.

Havertz has played several positions under Arteta since joining the Gunners from Chelsea last summer.

Arteta deployed the Germany international as a striker during their recent FA Cup third-round defeat to Liverpool.

Havertz spurred chances during the encounter after chance as Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at Emirates.

However, Sutton feels Arteta is not doing the 24-year-old any good by playing him up front as a center-forward.

“I don’t think he is doing any good for the Arsenal team and I don’t think it’s doing any good for Havertz, Psychologically when he plays as a striker he looks shackled, he looks like the weight of the shirt is too much for him and he dithers and delays. He doesn’t think clearly,” Sutton said on It’s All Kicking Off Podcast.

“I think it affects him when he knows he is a number nine, going to the game, getting changed, playing in that position I think it effects him. Kai Havertz is a good footballer, but Mikel Arteta playing him as a number nine kills him it destroys him psychologically, he has to play him as an eight and when he does play as an eight he seems to enjoy it more.”

Harvertz has made 29 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions, scoring five goals and providing one assist.