Liverpool legend, Steve Nicol has hit out at Arsenal for letting Kai Havertz take a penalty during their Premier League victory over Bournemouth over the weekend.
Arsenal defeated Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium, thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, Havertz and Ben White.
Saka and Odegaard had given Mikel Arteta’s side a 2-0 lead at half-time.
But, with less than 10 minutes after the interval, Bournemouth defender Ryan Christie brought down Odegaard in the box, handing the Gunners a penalty.
While Saka and Odegaard are Arsenal’s usual penalty-takers, the ball went to Havertz, who failed to score a goal for Arteta’s side in nine matches across competitions.
However, the Germany international buried the spot-kick to net his first Arsenal goal, and Nicol felt the decision to let the former Chelsea star take the penalty was unprofessional from the team.
“If Arsenal’s life depends on it, Saka takes it or Odegaard takes it,” Nicol told ESPN.
“Havertz doesn’t take it. So at 2-0 the game’s not over. It is a lack of professionalism.”
He added, “What happens if he misses it and Bournemouth get two late goals? That is not what you do. If you are the coach of a team and allow things like that to happen, then it spreads into other things. You have to be precise. And orders are orders.”
