Before the match against Aston Villa last season, Kai Havertz had 4 goals and 4 assists in 6 matches playing as a central striker for Arsenal. However, when he entered the clash with Villa, the German international was moved to the role of attacking midfielder, with Gabriel Jesus playing as a "number 9".
This was a bold move by Mikel Arteta when Arsenal won 5/6 previous matches and drew the remaining match with Man City. Arsenal's attack, who had scored 19 goals in their last 6 games at the time, became disjointed against Villa.
The Gunners missed one chance after another and lost 0-2. This is still Arsenal's only defeat in 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 was a reserve, Havertz started. That will continue into the new season and before another game against Villa, Arteta certainly won't make the same mistake.
Fans have called on Arsenal to bring in a new striker to boost their Premier League hopes. However, after a period of being lured by Benjamin Sesko, Arteta decided to trust Havertz.
Since arriving at the Emirates, the German has started 14 Premier League games for Arsenal as a centre-forward. In total, Havertz has contributed to 17 goals in those matches. In fact, in the 14 matches mentioned above, except for the goalless draw against Man City, Havertz has assisted or scored.
Havertz also scored a goal and assisted an assist in Arsenal's opening game of the season against Wolves last 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 play.
Perhaps Arteta's experiment with Havertz in the attacking midfield position has slowed down the German player a bit. The numbers show that Havertz, playing as a centre forward, is a completely different player.
Of course, the German international will have more shots per game as a striker than when playing as an attacking midfielder. But the key is accuracy and results are also significantly improved.
With Arsenal's final goal last season and his first of this season, Havertz is still maintaining the form he had in late May. If he is not injured, a starting position in the Gunners' attack will belong to Havertz.
And good news for Arteta as Havertz is not Arsenal's only striker in good form. Jesus is also fully supported by the Spanish strategist. Besides Leandro Trossard, Arteta seems to have identified the 3 best strikers in the new season.
"I believe in Havertz, we believe in Jesus. Trossard has also played in that position. So we have different options. The best thing to do is to trust the players we have and try to improve them. They are very good, very ready and that is what we are focusing on" - Arteta said after the match with Wolves.
