2 weeks Ago By Feargal Brennan
Mikel Arteta has been advised to make an immediate positional change to solve Kai Havertz's stuttering Arsenal form. The Germany international has managed just five goals from 14 Premier League starts so far this season, but he has only found the back of the net once in his last seven EPL games. Havertz's 'False 9' nine role is a key part of Arteta's tactical plan with the former Chelsea striker dropping deep to link with the midfield - to allow Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to exploit space in behind.
MORE: All the latest Arsenal news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings His selfless position has drawn praise from the majority of Gunners fans but 13 EPL goals last season made it easier to justify his overall game. Arsenal have seen an uptick in form in recent weeks, with six games unbeaten across all competitions, including four wins. However, the debate over the need for a 'proper No.
9' has raged for multiple seasons with Gabriel Jesus' long-term fitness a concern for Arteta. Arsenal's inability to find a late goal in their 1-1 weekend Premier League draw at Fulham drew more frustration from Arteta as it underlined their lack of cutting edge. The hot statistic of Arsenal scoring 23 goals from corners since the start of the 2023-24 season shows Arteta's ability to find a Plan B but former Gunners striker Lukas Podolski believes needs to find a way to unlock Havertz.
"He does well, but I think if you put Kai behind a good striker he has more potential, that's my view," as per an interview with TalkSport . "I don't know if when he was younger that his position was a proper No.9, but for me, he's not a classic No.
9 striker." Arteta is unlikely to make a major move for a new striker in January, as he looks to keep his squad tight, but Havertz will come under pressure if his goal issues continue on into 2025. Arsenal now face a quick turnaround from the draw at Fulham as they host AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League on December 11.
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