Arsenal Striker Dilemma: Why Arteta Should Keep Faith in Havertz

Arsenal striker dilemma: Havertz's all-round game makes him the right choice vs Liverpool

Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres have not scored a Premier League goal since early September, leaving Mikel Arteta with a striking headache before Sunday's trip to Liverpool. Sky Sports' Nick Wright argues the Arsenal boss should keep faith with Havertz despite his drought.

Fixture: Liverpool vs Arsenal, Premier League, Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm
Venue: Anfield
Havertz drought: 561 minutes without a goal in any competition
Gyokeres drought: One shot in 148 Premier League minutes; no shots in 160 Champions League minutes
Arsenal's form: Level on points with Manchester City at the top, won all but one of eight league games
Isak factor: The Liverpool striker, who Arsenal coveted before his £125m move from Newcastle, has six goals this season

The numbers

561 minutes played by Havertz without a goal in any competition since early September.
148 Premier League minutes for Gyokeres, yielding just one shot (a header against Nottingham Forest).
160 Champions League minutes for Gyokeres without a single shot.
Gyokeres has failed to register a shot in eight Premier League starts, the second-highest total of any out-and-out striker since the start of last season, behind only Randal Kolo Muani.
Arsenal's defenders have scored more goals in all competitions this season than their strikers.
Arsenal have spent £224.5m on forwards since Arteta's appointment in 2019, compared to £550.1m on midfielders and £350m on defenders.
Against Fleetwood, Havertz had seven shots, while Gyokeres had three.
In his last two Premier League starts against Liverpool, Havertz registered five shots worth 1.22 xG, had 14 touches in the box and 80 touches overall, created more chances, won more duels and won possession more times than Gyokeres.
Gyokeres, in his last two league starts against Liverpool, had just 25 touches (only four in the box), made 11 passes and won three duels, without registering a shot.
Araujo made 10 of Liverpool's 15 clearances in their Carabao Cup win over Chelsea.
Amar Dedic has four assists in eight games for Newcastle this season, having had a hand in both goals against Crystal Palace.

Why Arteta should keep backing Havertz

Kai Havertz has been Mikel Arteta's first choice since returning from injury last season. The 27-year-old started and scored in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in May and appeared to pick up where he left off, scoring in the Community Shield against Manchester City and adding Premier League goals against Coventry and his former club Chelsea. Since then, though, he has gone 561 minutes without finding the net in any competition.

Viktor Gyokeres finally broke his duck for the season in Tuesday's Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out loss to Fleetwood Town, bundling in Arsenal's equaliser from close range. But his overall output is a concern: he has managed only one shot in 148 Premier League minutes and none in 160 Champions League minutes. He was the main culprit alongside Havertz in Arsenal's wasteful display against Fleetwood, though Havertz was unable to score from seven shots.

Despite the lack of goals from their strikers, Arsenal sit level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, having won all but one of their eight games, and have taken seven points from a possible nine in the Champions League. Arteta, however, will be aware of how tough it will be to sustain that start if his forwards do not start producing.

The comparison between Havertz and Gyokeres in their last two Premier League starts against Liverpool illustrates the difference. Havertz did not score in either, but he had 80 touches (more than three times Gyokeres' total), created more chances, won more duels and won possession more times. Gyokeres, by contrast, had just 25 touches, only four in Liverpool's box, and no shots. Havertz's ability to combine with team-mates, interchange positions and help construct attacks makes Arsenal far more fluid in the final third, helping to explain their increased open-play threat this season even as their striker's goal drought continues.

Arteta could opt for Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker, but Havertz remains the most likely candidate given the breadth of what he brings.

Araujo a Liverpool favourite

Ronald Araujo will face Arsenal on Sunday having produced another excellent performance for Liverpool in their Carabao Cup win over Chelsea. The summer signing made 10 of the team's 15 clearances and was similarly effective in the 2-0 win over Brighton last weekend, drawing roars of approval from fans at Anfield with his crunching tackles.

Virgil van Dijk said: "When you see someone like Ronald making challenges, being aggressive at the right times, everyone responds and that energy can help the team going forward." Araujo played at centre-back against Chelsea but has mostly been used at right-back by Andoni Iraola. He scored in Liverpool's Champions League wins over LASK and Villarreal and would have had a third goal against Chelsea if not for a superb save from Mike Penders.

What was said

"For a striker, getting in position is way more informative than finishing."
— Brentford owner Matthew Benham, on how he assesses strikers

"When you see someone like Ronald making challenges, being aggressive at the right times, everyone responds and that energy can help the team going forward."
— Virgil van Dijk, on Ronald Araujo

Benham's comments underline the data-led view that chance generation is a stronger predictor of future success than conversion. Havertz's seven shots against Fleetwood, albeit without a goal, suggest he is at least getting into the right positions. Gyokeres' failure to register a single shot in eight Premier League starts points to a deeper issue with his integration into Arsenal's attacking structure.

Van Dijk's praise for Araujo highlights the defender's growing influence at Liverpool. His aggression and timing in the tackle have made him a favourite at Anfield, and his versatility across the back line gives Iraola options as the season progresses.

Why Havertz's link play gives Arsenal a better chance at Anfield

Against Liverpool, Arsenal will need to withstand pressure and construct attacks efficiently. Havertz's ability to drop deep, link with midfield and create space for team-mates makes him better suited to that task than Gyokeres, whose movement and shot volume have been limited. The data from their last two starts against Liverpool shows Havertz was far more involved in general play, and his presence helps Arsenal sustain possession in the final third.

Arteta's decision may also be influenced by Gyokeres' struggles against top opposition: none of his 14 Premier League goals last season came against opponents of Liverpool's quality. That record, combined with his lack of shots in big games, suggests he is not yet ready to lead the line at Anfield.

Talking points

Is Havertz's all-round contribution enough to justify his place, or should Arsenal prioritise a pure goalscorer?
Gyokeres has scored goals in his career but has failed to register a shot in eight Premier League starts—can he adapt to Arsenal's system?
Should Arteta consider Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker after his previous success in the role?
Arsenal's spending on forwards since 2019 is far lower than on midfielders and defenders—does that explain their current striker issues?

What happens next

Arsenal travel to Liverpool on Sunday for a 4.30pm kick-off. A first goal since September for Havertz would be timely, while Gyokeres will hope for an opportunity to prove his worth. The result could have significant implications for the Premier League title race.