Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola believes Arsenal signed an ‘exceptional’ player in Kai Havertz, despite recent claims that the German ‘looks lost’ under Mikel Arteta.

The 24-year-old has come in for heaps of criticism for his performances at Emirates Stadium so far this season. Havertz has struggled to find his absolute peak form since joining Arsenal from Chelsea this June. Arteta spent £62.5m, rising to £67.5m, on the midfielder’s signature.

Havertz finally opened his account for the Gunners in their 4-0 win at AFC Bournemouth last Saturday. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard allowed the Aachen-born star to take Arsenal’s second penalty. Arsenal fans also debuted a Shakira-inspired chant after Havertz converted.

Guardiola issues his verdict on Arsenal signing Havertz

Arteta has started Havertz in nine of his 11 appearances through each of Arsenal’s games so far this season. The 39-cap Mannschaft maestro might make it 10 from 12 this Sunday when Manchester City visit Arsenal. And Guardiola knows the potential threat Havertz could offer.

Guardiola has spoken highly about Havertz ahead of Arsenal facing Manchester City. He also claims Arteta signed some superb stars in Declan Rice and David Raya this summer. The pair followed Havertz to Emirates Stadium and have also emerged as important figures to Arteta.

“The recruitment they have done is top, exceptional level of players,” Guardiola stated, via quotes by the Evening Standard. “The keeper, Havertz [and] Rice. They are a good team.”

Havertz ‘looks lost’ and ‘in slow motion’ under Arteta

While Guardiola believes in the player that Havertz can be, Gabby Agbonlahor has torn into the £280k-a-week midfielder. The ex-Aston Villa captain slammed Havertz for his role in Arsenal’s defeat at RC Lens on Tuesday. He struggled to offer much in any phase of the tie.

Agbonlahor vented on talkSPORT (04/10, 19:40): “It doesn’t help when you got a player like Havertz that runs around the pitch in slow motion and looks like he is lost.”

Arteta hauled Havertz off in the 70th minute at RC Lens with Emile Smith Rowe introduced after falling 2-1 behind. The German was far from at his best in or out of possession. Often, his passes were wayward and Brice Samba also parried Havertz’s best attempt with a volley.

Had the midfielder’s attempt found the net after scoring a penalty at Bournemouth, Arsenal may have seen Havertz reach new heights ahead of the visit of Manchester City. Instead, the criticisms Agbonlahor has laid out could precede Arteta dropping him from their team again.

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