All of the focus and talk ahead of a big summer transfer window for Arsenal is surrounding the potential of a new centre-forward. Names such as Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko have been regularly discussed with genuine interest from the club understood to be true.
However, with the clamour for the signing, it is easy to forget the potential implications any arrival might have on the squad, and the questions that raises. The need for a new centre-forward has never been more prevalent than it has this season when Arsenal lost both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to serious long-term injuries.
Jesus is expected to be out until the end of the year with a knee injury and will be expected to join the group midway through next season for the second time during his stint with the Gunners. Havertz, meanwhile, is closing on a return with Mikel Arteta admitting he has been pushing to make a surprise appearance before the campaign ends – although that was likely with a potential Champions League final in mind.
Havertz had been the established number nine and therefore with talk of a striker signing, the obvious question is what then happens to the German international? Where will he fit into the plans if the Gunners go big on a transfer?
football.london understands that regardless of what happens this summer in the window, Arteta remains a big fan of Havertz and will have a role for him in his plans. With the injuries the club have suffered, strength in depth is always a benefit and Havertz certainly adds that.
Despite being out since the start of February, Havertz remains the side’s top goal scorer with 15 for the season. Yet, his versatility is what he was signed for.
There is a misconception he was signed as a midfielder but as we know from the first semi-competitive game he played in, the Community Shield, he started as a centre-forward. An injury suffered by Thomas Partey meant that for much of his first season, he played in midfield with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
However, the return of Partey and the German’s own contributions saw him move further upfield, having also covered for an absent Odegaard in the right attacking eight position. Arteta will see plenty of usage from Havertz next season, regardless of what deals the club end up doing.
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