Before the match against Aston Villa last season, Kai Havertz had 4 goals and 4 assists in 6 matches playing as Arsenal's central striker. However, entering the clash with Villa, the German international was moved back to the attacking midfielder role, with Gabriel Jesus playing "number 9".
This was a bold move by Mikel Arteta when Arsenal won 5/6 previous matches and the remaining match was a draw with Man City. Arsenal's attack, which had scored 19 goals in the last 6 matches at that time, became disjointed against Villa.
The Gunners missed chance after chance and eventually lost 0-2. This remains Arsenal's only defeat of 2024 so far, but it cost them the Premier League title last season.
In the final matches of the 2023-2024 season, Arteta returned to the old system: Jesus on the reserve, Havertz starting. That remains the case into the new season and ahead of another match against Villa, Arteta is unlikely to make the same mistake.
Fans have called on Arsenal to bring in a new striker to boost their hopes of winning the Premier League. However, after a period of being tempted by Benjamin Sesko, Arteta decided to trust Havertz.
Since arriving at the Emirates, the German has started 14 Premier League matches for Arsenal as a central striker. In total, Havertz was involved in 17 goals in those matches. In fact, in the 14 matches mentioned above, except for the goalless draw against Man City, Havertz assisted or scored all goals.
Havertz also scored a goal and assisted in Arsenal's season opener against Wolves over the weekend. This is a complete contrast to Havertz's image a year ago. The striker had to wait until November last year to score his first goal for Arsenal from an open ball.
Perhaps Arteta's testing of Havertz as an attacking midfielder has held back the German player a bit. The numbers show that Havertz playing as a central striker is a completely different player.
Of course, the German international will have more shots per game as a striker than as an attacking midfielder. But the key is that accuracy and results are also significantly improved.
From scoring Arsenal's last goal last season to his first goal this season, Havertz is still maintaining the same form as at the end of May. If not injured, a starting spot in The Gunners' attack. will belong to Havertz.
And the good news for Arteta is that Havertz is not the only Arsenal striker in good form. Jesus is also fully supported by the Spanish strategist. Besides Leandro Trossard, Arteta seems to have identified the three best strikers for the new season.
"I believe in Havertz, we believe in Jesus. Trossard also played in that position. Therefore, we have different options. The best thing we can do is to believe in the players we I have and try to improve them. They are very good, very ready and that's what we focus on" - Arteta said after the match with Wolves.
