“He was abysmal” - Piers Morgan says Arsenal have ‘zero chance of winning any big trophies’ if 25-year-old star plays like he did against Man United

Media personality Piers Morgan has called out Arsenal star Kai Havertz over his performance in their FA Cup defeat to Manchester United on Sunday (January 12). The Gunners fell short once again domestically, losing on penalties to end their hopes of winning the FA Cup this season.

Havertz was chosen to lead the line for Mikel Arteta's side while Gabriel Jesus started as the right winger in the absence of both Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri. The Germany international endured a poor game that was capped off by a miss from the penalty spot during the shootout.

Morgan, a staunch Arsenal fan, took to X to share his thoughts on the German forward and the team, as a whole. He criticized the side for failing to defeat Manchester United, who played with 10 men for about an hour, at home. He also opined that the club stood no chance of picking up silverware if Havertz kept leading the line for them.

"Pathetic, Arsenal. How can you lose at home to a team that has 10 men for that long? So long as Havertz is our main striker, we have zero chance of winning any big trophies. He was abysmal today. If Arteta doesn’t buy big this window, incl a top striker. our season is over," Morgan wrote.

Kai Havertz has played in a variety of positions since moving from Chelsea for £65 million in the summer of 2023, but most of his games have come as a striker. The 25-year-old had a game to forget in the FA Cup, generating 1.98xG but failing to score even once. He had five shots, of which only one was on target, and missed two big chances, including one from just under the crossbar.

Havertz has registered 12 goals and three assists in 27 appearances across competitions for the Gunners this season. The former Chelsea man managed 14 goals in 51 games in the 2023-24 season and looks on course to beat his tally this season.

Arsenal suffer another injury blow in Manchester United clash

Arsenal were left further demoralized after another injury to a key player was recorded during their defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup. In-form striker Gabriel Jesus had to be stretchered off the pitch in the first half with what looked like a knee problem.

Jesus started on the right wing and was left in pain as he challenged Bruno Fernandes for the ball in the 38th minute outside the Arsenal penalty area. The Brazil international had to be taken off, with Raheem Sterling coming on in his place.

Jesus only just hit form before the injury, scoring six goals in his last seven appearances for the club.