Four players Arsenal could have signed instead of ‘ultimate time-waster’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta spent £65m on Kai Havertz (Image: Getty) Kai Havertz has started all three of Arsenal’s competitive matches this season following his £65million transfer from Chelsea. But we are still yet to see the best from the German forward, who has been operating as an attacking midfielder in the Premier League so far this term under Mikel Arteta. Much like his time at Chelsea, Havertz looks an awkward fit and although he needs some time to adapt to his new surroundings, the football does not seem to be free-flowing. Simon Jordan has called Havertz the “ultimate time-waster” as he believes Arsenal will encounter similar problems to Chelsea when trying to shoehorn him into their side. Arteta will see it differently as he continues to embed the German international into his new-look Arsenal side which has claimed maximum points from their opening two matches. Jordan seemed to indicate that Arsenal would have been better off utilising the cash spent on Havertz elsewhere, so Express Sport analyses four deals the Gunners could have pushed for instead of landing the 24-year-old. Kai Havertz has been labelled a “time-water” by Simon Jordan (Image: Getty) Mohammed Kudus Kudus would have been available for considerably cheaper than Havertz at around £35m earlier in the window. The Ghanaian now looks likely to stay at Ajax amid interest from West Ham but there was a point where Arsenal looked like genuine suitors. Kudus can play in multiple positions including as a false-nine, right-winger and attacking midfielder. In that sense, some may argue he is better value for money than Havertz. Eberechi Eze Eze is an interesting one as he now seems to be admired by a number of Big Six clubs. His potential remains very high but Crystal Palace would be after a monstrous fee worth at least £70m. Nonetheless, Eze can play as a central midfielder, winger or central attacking midfielder and that would be of huge benefit to Arsenal. Furthermore, he is homegrown which is another huge selling point as the trickle dribbler continues to excel at Selhurst. It’s easy to see why Manchester City are currently looking at the player. Eberechi Eze is now wanted by Man City (Image: Getty) Dusan Vlahovic Vlahovic was on Arsenal’s radar in January 2022 but he decided to join Juventus. Yet Gabriel Jesus’ injury means there is an argument that Arsenal could have considered signing another striker. Jesus won’t be back just yet and Arsenal have struggled to score goals at the same rate they did last season in his absence. The Serbian would also cost a big-money fee, however, and he may upset the harmony of the squad once Jesus is back. Moussa Diaby Again, not quite the same position as Havertz but Diaby is a signing that would have improved attacking depth. He has made a bright start to his Aston Villa career following his summer transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. Bukayo Saka hasn’t been at the top of his game just yet and someone like Diaby would improve competition for places within the squad. He can also play in a central role which would prove favourable for Arteta although Havertz is a player that possesses more tactical discipline.