On paper, Arsenal are now five points clear at the top of the Premier League after ten games. They’ve only dropped points once and look ready to make it back-to-back titles. Yet, at the same time, it wouldn’t be harsh to suggest that they must improve when the domestic action returns.
Victory over Hull City was once again completed the ugly way, and whilst the Premier League is no beauty contest, the Gunners will be well aware that such performances are not sustainable.
The biggest concern for Mikel Arteta is that Arsenal are facing familiar issues. Even with their champions’ status, the Gunners are still struggling going forward.
Why Arsenal must bin Havertz after the international break
Kai Havertz is one of the most difficult players to judge in the Premier League.
Whilst he seems to be there for every big moment, wheeling away in celebration after goals against the big six, he looks all too easily silenced against any side willing to drop into their shape. When the duels arrive in a scrappy affair, the German is nowhere to be seen all too often.
So far this season, three of the forward’s four goals have come against top-six sides. He found the back of the net as Arsenal won the Community Shield against Man City. He then scored against former club Chelsea in another impressive victory, before doing the same at Anfield against Liverpool.
Havertz is clearly a man for the big occasion, and that’s what makes his performances against the so-called lower sides all the more confusing for those at the Emirates.
|
Kai Havertz vs Hull City |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
63 |
|
Touches |
20 |
|
Shots |
0 |
|
Touches in opposition’s box |
2 |
|
Duel success |
1/3 |
The forward was anonymous against Hull. In 63 minutes, he took just two touches inside the box and won just one of three duels. It’s not like he was dropping deep and dictating play, either. Havertz didn’t create a single chance before he was hooked.
When Arsenal needed him to step up, the former Chelsea man struggled yet again, leaving Arteta with a ruthless decision to make after the international break.
Arsenal’s best attacker since RVP must replace Havertz
If Arteta could travel back and take any of his former teammates for his current side, then Robin van Persie would be among those near the top of the list.
The Dutchman may have turned into somewhat of a Pantomime villain in north London, but even those at the Emirates cannot deny the quality that he had in abundance.
The forward was an unbelievable finisher, scoring 132 goals in 278 games for the Gunners. A player of his quality is very much the missing piece from European dominance at Arsenal, but that doesn’t mean Arteta’s answer lies in the transfer market.
The Spaniard already has Arsenal’s best finisher since Van Persie in the form of Viktor Gyokeres. Lest we forget, this is someone who scored 54 goals in one campaign for Sporting and, following a resurgent run of form amid Havertz’s poor stretch of games, the Swede must regain his starting place.
It took the forward just 27 minutes to take more shots and take the same number of touches inside Hull’s box on Saturday. Had he played the full 90, Arsenal’s afternoon could have been far more routine.
Though he is yet to score in the Premier League this season, Gyokeres’ upturn in form was on show in full against Slavia Prague earlier this month. The former Sporting Club striker scored an excellent goal and assisted Noni Madueke’s effort, turning creator to highlight how his game has developed.
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Viktor Gyokeres in the Champions League 26/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
238 |
|
Shots |
2 |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Assists |
2 |
|
XG |
0.12 |
With most of his opportunities coming in the Champions League this season, Gyokeres needed just two shots to score his one goal and did so with just 0.12 XG.
This is a player on the up, who has no trouble converting his chances.
If Arteta restores his starting place in the Premier League, then Gyokeres could rediscover the form which saw him score 39 goals in his final Liga Portugal campaign with Sporting.
