Arsenal’s most ‘clutch’ player could now be handed a different role
Kai Havertz limped off during Germany’s 1-1 Nations League draw against Holland last night with what is believed to be a hamstring injury.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed after the game that Havertz will undergo an MRI scan and is likely to return to Arsenal, effectively ruling him out of Germany’s next game. Of course, for Arsenal fans, it raises serious questions about his availability when the Premier League resumes on 10 October against Leeds.
It is the last thing Arsenal needed. Havertz has been one of Arsenal’s best players so far this season. He has netted three goals but it’s his all-round performances that have impressed.
Mikel Arteta clearly sees him as the ‘glue’ to his attack, and losing him, even briefly, is a major blow. And it is already driving discussion about who should lead the line in his absence?
Of course, the obvious solution is Viktor Gyokeres. He hasn’t been given a proper chance in the league so far this season, playing just 29 minutes. But in those cameos, he’s made little to no impact. He has started in the other competitions, though, but was largely invisible in both games.
The Swede looks short of confidence right now, and possibly even lacking in motivation after the club tried to flog him in the summer. The international break could be just what he needs.
Mikel Arteta may now revert to Mikel Merino as a striker
The alternative for Arteta is to revert to Mikel Merino as a centre-forward. Of course, the Spaniard filled in during Arsenal’s injury crisis in the 2024-25 campaign, when both Havertz and Gabriel Jesus suffered long-term injuries.
Merino had a surprisingly solid run in the team up front, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 12 games as an auxiliary striker. That run included a 3-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid where his incredible finish was overshadowed by Declan Rice’s stunning free-kick double.
Merino was called upon up front again the following season, when summer signing Gyokeres missed a few games through injury. Interestingly, that coincided with arguably Arsenal’s best stretch of football last season, where they battered Tottenham 4-1 demolition beat Bayern Munich 3-1 comfortably at the Emirates.
Arsenal played some of their most fluid football with Merino leading the line. Like Havertz, his ability to drop deep and link play helps facilitate those around him, but what he does better than his German counterpart is arrive late into the box and create a goal threat of a more traditional centre-forward.
Merino has exclusively been used as a substitute in the league so far. His ‘clutch’ ability makes him such an effective game-changer, as was perfectly on show with his two late winners at the World Cup.
In fact, 10 of his 11 Premier League goals have either put Arsenal ahead or been equalisers. That’s a 91% rate. Absurd!
Arteta will be praying Havertz’s injury isn’t serious, but if the German is out of action for a while, Arteta may need to lean on the most clutch player at the club.