Michael Ballack offers Kai Havertz crucial Arsenal advice amid transfer exit admission

Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich star Michael Ballack has offered some advice to struggling Arsenal midfielder Kai Havertz. The German international arrived at the Emirates Stadium over the summer transfer window, signing from Chelsea for £65million.

But so far, Havertz has failed to live up to that price tag, netting just one Premier League goal and providing one assist so far this term. Some Gunners supporters have started to become increasingly disgruntled with the 24-year-old's performances and German legend Ballack has urged his compatriot to be more assertive with his actions.

Ballack said, via Sport Witness: “Kai Havertz has outstanding skills. But as already mentioned: he seems a bit too reserved for me.

«You need a certain robustness and mentality, especially abroad, to assert yourself in difficult situations. I hope he gets it done.

“In my opinion it is still too early for that (an exit). He should assert himself at Arsenal by all means possible.”

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Havertz has operated in a midfield three alongside Declan Rice and Jorginho in recent weeks, with club captain Martin Odegaard sidelined due to a combination of a hip injury and a concussion. The former Bayer Leverkusen playmaker has operated as a right-sided number eight in Odegaard's absence, with Rice on the left and Jorginho slightly deeper.

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