Mikel Arteta delighted with Kai Havertz and Declan Rice as Piers Morgan singles out Arsenal star for criticism

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gushed praise of summer signings Kai Havertz and Declan Rice after their home debuts for the club.

However, Gunners fan and TalkTV host Piers Morgan is yet to be left convinced with the arrival of the German midfielder at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta is happy with what he’s seen from his new arrivalsGetty

Havertz played in midfield for Arsenal for most of the gameGetty

Rice also played in the middle of the park as the Gunners went on to winGetty

Arsenal secured a crucial, yet nervy, 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon to kickstart their new Premier League season with three points.

Goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka ensured Taiwo Awoniyi’s late finish wasn’t enough to cause an upset in north London.

Arteta named both Havertz and Rice in his starting XI for the visit of Steve Cooper’s side to hand them their home debuts.

They by no means set the world alight with their performances, but their boss is pleased with how they fared against Forest.

When asked about the aforementioned duo, he exclusively told talkSPORT: “They were really good.

“I think the whole team in the end was really good. I saw a lot of fluidity, a lot of good connections, really physical as well.

“Really, really strong counters, the eagerness to bring in that ball straightaway was magnificent.

“For example with Deccy [Rice], he had two big chances that he probably could have scored, but I’m really happy with him.”

However, Havertz might need to do more to make an impression on MorganGetty

Despite Arteta being impressed by Havertz, diehard Gooner Morgan took to Twitter to raise his concerns over the German in an Arsenal shirt.

“I’ll take the win, but that was a poor second half by Arsenal and I don’t understand why Forest had more desire/intensity than we did as the game went on,” Morgan wrote.

“Nor do I understand what Havertz gives us.”

Havertz mostly played as an attacker at Chelsea but could be set to star in midfield for Arsenal with more minutes in such a position.

Jurrien Timber also started in the win but he went off injured early on in the second half, with Arteta left ‘worried’ about the defender.