Paul Merson makes bold request to Mikel Arteta around next Arsenal starting XI
Arsenal icon Paul Merson has urged Mikel Arteta to use Kai Havertz as a centre-forward. There has been strong debate over Havertz’ best position, despite Arteta mostly using the German in midfield.
Havertz is highly regarded by managers for his versatility. The 24-year-old can play as a central midfielder and anywhere across a front three. He also slotted in at left-back for Germany during the most recent international break.
But with Arsenal struggling for a prolific striker, many believe that Havertz should start in the role ahead of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah. Jesus is Arteta’s first-choice centre-forward but his inconsistency and susceptibility to injuries have called that status into question.
Havertz was signed by Arteta to play in midfield alongside captain Martin Odegaard, replacing box-to-box star Granit Xhaka who joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. However, Merson believes the former Chelsea ace showed his ability to play as a striker with clever movement to score the winner against Brentford last weekend.
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“This is unbelievable play by Havertz, it is movement at its best,” Sky Sports pundit Merson said over a replay of the strike, which secured a 1-0 triumph.
“I think he should play up front. That was centre-forward movement – he drifts behind defenders and it’s a great header. Confidence, every player will tell you, if you can bottle one thing it’s confidence.”
Havertz often started in the centre of a front three for Chelsea during his final two years at Stamford Bridge. However, he was sometimes criticised for not scoring enough, bagging just seven Premier League goals last term.
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Arsenal have been widely linked with signing a new striker in either January or next summer. It is widely believed that a new No 9 will help Arteta propel his side above the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, and secure their first top-flight title in two decades.
Brentford star Ivan Toney has been mooted as a possible winter signing, once the 27-year-old’s football ban ends on January 16. A reported move for Napoli hotshot Victor Osimhen might be unlikely midway through the campaign, with Arsenal needing to sell before they seal another big-money signing.
Asked about the potential of signing a striker in January, Arteta said in October: “We’re not thinking at all about that. We have really good players up front. It’s true that right now we have some injuries. We will continue with the players we have.”
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