Former Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who scored 71 goals for his country, has now been responding to criticism of Arsenal striker Kai Havertz at Euro 2024.
Havertz has started all three of Germany’s games at the tournament, entrusted by Julian Nagelsmann as his leading man.
Interestingly, Havertz has played more of a traditional number nine role for Germany at times in those minutes, not always dropping deep to connect play.
But a feature of the Arsenal striker’s tournament has been trading places with Borussia Dortmund goal-scorer Niclas Fullkrug.
And although Havertz has only scored from the spot at the Euros, Fullkrug has now netted twice, including his last gasp equaliser against Switzerland.
As a result, and in a similar fashion to calls to drop Bukayo Saka for England, there is a lot of talk in Germany about Havertz moving to the bench, in order for Fullkrug to start.
And with that in mind, Klose has now been offering his thoughts via German outlet Welt.
Miroslav Klose thinks criticism of Kai Havertz for Germany is completely unnecessary
Klose rejected the idea of dropping the Arsenal man for Germany’s last-16 game, stating that there was no issue with the forward line.
He responded: “I’ve heard that the defence is causing problems, it’s not the attack that’s causing problems.
“It’s always a decision made by the coach [dropping Havertz for Fullkrug], but I don’t think Kai Havertz has played badly.”
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Thankfully from an Arsenal perspective, Nagelsmann seems to agree, and offered his thoughts via the same source.
Discussing Fullkrug’s qualities as a sub, Nagelsmann said: “It’s also important that you always have players who can come in and make a difference.
“Everyone knows what Fullkrug can do, and I’ve said it often enough and basically talked him into the national team. Thank God he was able to justify it now.”
Mikel Arteta needs his very own Niclas Fullkrug
Given Arsenal are using Havertz in a very similar role to his country, the way in which Fullkrug is dovetailing with the striker seems pretty illuminating.
Although understandably happy with Havertz as his starting striker, Arteta doesn’t have an instinctive goal-scorer to make an instantaneous difference from the bench.
If Havertz isn’t finding the back of the net, introducing Gabriel Jesus simply feels like more of the same.
Perhaps that best delineates why Arsenal were interested in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who is on the pitch solely to score goals.
All that being said, it seems if as a different Bundesliga star now wants to join Arsenal.