Mikel Arteta expressed his limited options and intention to have a discussion with an ‘underappreciated’ Arsenal player before their crucial match against Manchester City this weekend.
The team is facing selection challenges, including uncertainty in the goalkeeper position and potential absences of key players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Adrian Clarke, discussing on the Handbrake Off Podcast, proposed using Kai Havertz as a striker to bring a physical presence against City’s pressing style. Clarke acknowledged the viability of this approach, suggesting Havertz could be effective, especially if Arsenal needed to resort to longer passes. This strategy could involve Havertz up front with Jesus and Trossard supporting from the wings.
However, others voiced concerns about this tactic, pointing out Havertz’s limitations compared to City’s formidable defender Ruben Dias and his relative lack of goal-scoring threat. Some argued that Arsenal’s usual style of free-flowing, exciting football should not be compromised by resorting to a more direct approach of playing long balls to a taller striker, especially in a crucial match like this. They emphasized that Havertz might not be the optimal choice to start the game, let alone in the striker position.
