Watch: Arsenal’s Kai Havertz becomes first player to score zero in Cross & Volley challenge

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Arsenal midfielder Kai Havertz competes during the cross and volley challenge segment of the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge against the MLS All-Stars, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Washington.

Kai Havertz failed to impress during the Cross & Volley Challenge in Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States, becoming the first player not to score a single goal during his attempt.

Havertz swapped Chelsea for Arsenal last month in a deal worth a reported £65 million and made his debut during a recent friendly against FC Nurnberg.

And now the Germany international failed to score a single goal in the Cross & Volley challenge as he blazed a few attempts over the bar whilst also hitting the woodwork on a couple of occasions.

In comparison, Havertz’s teammate Folarin Balogun managed to score three times and DC United striker Christian Benteke also found the net.

But club legend Ian Wright is adamant that Havertz will be a success with his new midfield role tipped to work perfectly behind striker Jesus.

“I feel very, very confident about that midfield and what that midfield can produce,” he told the Wrighty’s House podcast after the arrival of Declan Rice.

“Especially with Havertz. Havertz in that role, I think we are going to be very surprised in his quality as well.

“Arsenal fans are going to love him, we haven’t seen nothing from him at Chelsea. Yes, he’s scored the winning goal in a Champions League final and stuff like that.

“But, he’s not a [number] nine, he’s not a false nine. He’s either a ten drifting in like he did for [Bayer] Leverkusen, scoring lots of goals in his first couple of seasons.

“But I can see him as an eight, arriving with Jesus coming out, leaving those spaces. I cannot help but get excited.”

Asked about Havertz’s arrival at Arsenal, Havertz’s former Chelsea team-mate Jorginho told The Arsenal Tour Diary: “It’s very nice.

“When I heard there was a possibility, I called him straightaway. I said “is this true?” He said “yeah, it’s possible”. I was like, “you need to come!”

“I just wanted the best for everyone… everyone wins. He wins because it’s a good project for him and it’s going to be amazing for the club and the team a well. So it was a win-win.”

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