Mikel Arteta saw his Arsenal side draw 1-1 with Fulham (Image: Getty)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may have some cause for concern over Kai Havertz after the striker prolonged his poor run of form in front of goal with an anonymous display in their 1-1 draw with Fulham.
The German was entrusted with spearheading the Gunners’ frontline along with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, only to endure a forgettable afternoon as the north Londoners were held to a frustrating draw.
Havertz was one of the star names who struggled, as the 25-year-old had three shots off target, completed one aerial duel and didn’t complete a single dribble in a strange display from Arsenal’s No 9.
His sole contribution to the game was an assist, although it was very much a case of good fortune when his header – set to bounce wide – was tapped home by William Saliba.
While Saka stepped up in the second half, there was an absence in responsibility from the £65million forward. He didn’t look up for the challenge against Fulham defenders Issa Diop and Calvin Bassey.
The fact he was hooked with 16 minutes left to go as Arteta sent on Gabriel Jesus in search of a late winner said it all. The Arsenal boss didn’t seem to have any confidence Havertz would come up trumps in the final moments.
That may offer some insight into why reports suggest the Spaniard is ready to move for Sporting goal machine Viktor Gyokeres, who has fired 34 goals in all competitions for club and country this term.
The Swede, 26, has emerged as a target for the Gunners, as well as Manchester United, who are now coached by his former manager Ruben Amorim. But Arsenal reportedly have ‘the edge’ in the race to sign him, according to former Gunner Emmanuel Petit, who thinks Arsenal are more of an “attractive proposition” than United.
Kai Havertz struggled to make an impression for Arsenal against Fulham (Image: Getty)
“Gyokeres should really consider Arsenal as I think he could be the final missing piece of the jigsaw for Mikel Arteta. I love the way he plays far away from goal and his hold-up play, it’s something he could really add to Arsenal,” the Frenchman told Gambling Zone.
“Arsenal is a much more attractive proposition for him, especially as Havertz does not seem like an out-and-out number nine and Gabriel Jesus isn’t really performing.”
The undeniable fact that is that Arsenal need more firepower if they are to become champions. Manchester City have Erling Haaland and Liverpool are fortunate to have Mohamed Salah still firing on all cylinders.
Havertz has scored five goals in 14 appearances, but the Germany international has only found the net once in his last eight league outings. That run is particularly concerning in games of tight margins like the Fulham one, where Arsenal are crying out for a player not called Saka to produce some magic.
Viktor Gyokeres has been on fire for club and country (Image: Getty)
Arteta probably didn’t help when he claimed Havertz can score 20 goals a season, but that was likely to be a motivating tool rather than concrete expectation.
“He certainly has all the qualities and he certainly has the ambition to [score 20 goals a season],” Arteta said in October.
“In the end, scoring goals sometimes are very small details and a lot of things have to go for you, but he’s got it and his mindset has changed a lot in regards to that. He certainly has ability to do it in my opinion.”
With the prospect of Gyokeres arriving, Havertz may need to start firing soon to avoid dropping to the bench.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1986161/Arsenal-Mikel-Arteta-Kai-Havertz-Fulham-Gyokeres