Parlour admits he was 'SHOCKED' by Arsenal's £65m move for Kai Havertz

Ray Parlour admits he was ‘SHOCKED’ by Arsenal’s £65m move for Kai Havertz and insists his old side should have bought a quality striker to partner Gabriel Jesus instead

  • Arsenal completed the £65m signing of German international Kai Havertz
  • Ray Parlour believes the team could have done with attacking reinforcements
  • The German is expected to make up one third of Arsenal’s new-look midfield 

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has questioned the club’s decision to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65million.

The German international completed his big money move to the Emirates on Thursday and is expected to be deployed by Mikel Arteta in a midfield three.

As a result last season’s Premier League runners-up are set to go into the next campaign with three central strikers, who Parlour believes ought to have been upgraded on before the Havertz splurge.

‘Havertz was a bit of a shock,’ Parlour said on talkSPORT. ‘Because I thought they needed an out-and-out striker.

‘[Gabriel] Jesus is there, Eddie Nketiah has done great when he’s come in but I thought they needed one more top quality striker.

Ray Parlour reckons Arsenal should have strengthened the attack before signing Havertz

Kai Havertz was most frequently used in a central striking position where he dropped deep


Eddie Nketiah (left) and Gabriel Jesus (right) scored a combined total of 20 league goals 

‘But they went for Havertz and spent a lot of money on him. Edu and Mikel Arteta must see something in him.’

Arsenal are set to spend even more money in bringing Declan Rice to the Emirates. The club will break the British transfer record and complete construction of Arteta’s new midfield trio that the Spaniard hopes will be enough to claim their first league title since 2004.

Parlour, a 12 year servant of the club, reckoned Havertz, who has a winning goal in a Champions League final to his name, could prove to be a savvy addition considering the increased demands of Arsenal’s next campaign.

And he hopes the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man, who Parlour thinks is best used in an advanced midfield role, can develop his game in north London.

‘I agree that he’s a real attacking midfielder,’ Parlour added. ‘[Martin] Odegaard obviously had a great season at Arsenal last season but he’s another player.

‘And you’re playing Champions League football so you need that bigger squad.’

‘He’s a good age, good experience so let’s see how he does Arsenal. If he can improve he’ll be a good signing.’


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