Arsenal Zagreb Ratings Havertz Impact

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Post on Jan 23, 2025

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Arsenal Zagreb Ratings: Havertz's Impact and More

Okay, Gunners fans, let's dive into the Arsenal vs. Dinamo Zagreb game. This wasn't exactly a walk in the park, right? I mean, the final score flattered us a bit, but it was a game with some serious highs and lows. We're talking about a Champions League qualifier, not some Sunday league match! My mate Dave was convinced we'd cruise, but I had a sneaking suspicion it would be tougher. And, boy, was he wrong – especially in the first half!

Havertz: A Mixed Bag?

Right, let's address the elephant in the room: Kai Havertz. Honestly, I went into this match with high hopes. Remember how he was against Manchester United? A different beast altogether. So, yeah, I expected a similar showing. But, it wasn't quite that.

He had some moments where you thought "Yes! This is the Havertz we bought!" Great link-up play, a couple of near misses – you know, glimpses of brilliance. It was the kind of performance that had me thinking about his potential. He was definitely trying, you could see the effort. But, there were also patches of the game where he seemed a bit lost, a bit out of sync with the rest of the team. He's still adapting, I reckon.

Rating-wise? I'd give him a 6.5 out of 10, maybe a 7 if I'm feeling generous. Not a disaster by any stretch, but definitely not the game-changer we all hoped for. This highlights that consistency is key in football.

The "Havertz Problem": Finding his Feet

The thing is, Havertz is a supremely talented player. We all know that. But integrating a player of his calibre into a new system, a new league, even a new team dynamic takes time. Remember when Odegaard first arrived? Took him a while to truly settle in, didn't it? He didn't quite hit the ground running. Same thing can happen with any new player.

We need to be patient. This is a marathon, not a sprint. I'm sticking with him – he’s got serious potential. This is why it's important for us, as fans, to be supportive and not just jump to conclusions. He’s a high-value asset, and if he can get it together, it will all be worth it. Trust the process, folks.

Overall Team Performance: A Few Blips

Let's not just focus on Havertz though. The whole team had a bit of a sluggish first half. It felt like we were playing against a team who really wanted it more. They were fighting for each other and to represent their team. We looked a bit flat, a bit too predictable, perhaps. And, yeah, the passing was, ahem, occasionally a bit…sloppy.

The second half was a different story. We woke up, upped our game, and showed why we're Arsenal. The goals started to flow, and we looked much more in control. Saka was amazing, and Jesus was a force of nature. They both easily got an 8 or 9.

Defensive Concerns?

One thing that did worry me – our defense wasn't as airtight as usual. There were moments where Zagreb had chances, they got close. This is something Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly want to work on, and I think it is something we have to address.

Final Thoughts: Room for Improvement

The Arsenal Zagreb ratings for the entire team are a bit of a mixed bag – a solid win, but with plenty of room for improvement. Havertz showed flashes of brilliance, but consistency is the name of the game. The team as a whole needs to work on that first-half sluggishness. And we also need to shore up our defense. But hey, it’s early days. Plenty of games left to go!

This win against Dinamo Zagreb was a tough one, but we got three points and a valuable victory in the bag. It was an experience to improve on and learn from, that's for sure. COYG!