Kai Havertz has been heavily criticised for his role in Gabriel Magalhaes' goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The German was manning the near post but failed to clear Bukayo Saka's inswinging corner. The ball then evaded a host of blue shirts crowding around the six-yard box as Gabriel slid in to tap home the only goal of the game.
At the other end of the pitch Havertz struggled. The 23-year-old was peripheral for large parts of the game, slipped over during a first-half counter-attacker attempting a stepover and failed to provide final third quality when asked as his side slipped to a second consecutive league defeat.
READ MORE Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea vs Arsenal, Mount decision, fan patience, Saka and more
Havertz has been given more freedom under Potter to roam around the pitch and get into spaces between the lines and create defensive dilemmas for the opposition, but he has still fallen short of expectations, only scoring three times in 12 matches under the new boss.
It was his defensive work that drew heavy inspection from ex-Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown though, “You’re always massively disappointed when you concede from a set-piece," the pundit said on BT Sport.
"I don’t know why Havertz has gone so far forward before the corner. If he goes deeper he can come on to it, instead he starts high and then starts running back and then he’s got a lot to deal with. Kai Havertz has got to do better there. He swings a lazy leg at that.”
The irony here is that, in general, Havertz has been a good defender of the near post for Chelsea in a role that is often left to strikers. Havertz's heading has also been largely more consistent than his footwork in recent weeks with three of his four goals in all competitions coming in the air as opposed to with his feet.
Didier Drogba was a reliable near-post defender in the past and Havertz has taken on that mantle but couldn't help his side against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. In a game where his quality was needed going forward, it's immensely frustrating for Potter to see a defensive mishap end as the only difference between the sides.
The Ivorian forward was also a constant tormenter of the Gunners across his career and Havertz has been so far unable to live up to those levels.
READ NEXT:
Todd Boehly can complete four Chelsea transfers in January to solve big Graham Potter problems
Reece James set for last gasp attempt for late World Cup call-up amid Chelsea rehabilitation
Chelsea can use Broja, Pulisic and Ziyech to beat Man City to dream Rafael Leao transfer
Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea vs Arsenal, Mount decision, fan patience, Saka and more
Chelsea player ratings vs Arsenal as Raheem Sterling, Aubameyang and Kai Havertz all struggle
