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Arteta on Arsenal Attack: The Havertz Dilemma and No. 9

Arsenal this season has been a ride—and a very exciting one—and the Gunners’ title tilt still lives but has endured its own challenges too. One major hurdle? The absence of a pure No. 9. In the absence of Gabriel Jesus picking up an injury, Arteta has unwittingly found his main striker in Kai Havertz. Is he, however, the long-term option?

While the physique of a striker and the game style of a playmaker, Havertz has the knack of scoring 14 times in 32 games and providing four providers. Not bad at all. But is he truly a No. 9? Arteta also chuckled when asked a similar question, suggesting Arsenal’s system was displaying the flexibility as much as a tattoo of a footballer can.

Arteta’s Perspective: No. 9 or Not, Havertz Delivers

Arteta was, as usual, tactful and honest when asked about the No. 9 conundrum.

He laughs, “[Laughs] That with us, sometimes he plays as a ‘9’; sometimes he plays inside.” So in the end, if you look at his numbers, there are many ‘9’ that do not produce what Kai produces as an Arsenal’.”

It translates as Havertz may not be your traditional No. 9 or classic striker, but he is getting through a job many ‘proper’ No. 9s would not.

Naturally, Arsenal has become a team that does not rely on one forward but a team with a system where attackers interchange positions. Can such a strategy get them to the Premier League title? Some Liverpool fans are not convinced that they have the six points in the bag.

The No. 9 Debate: Does Arsenal Need a Traditional Striker?

Is an out-and-out striker necessary to have a great team ? However, Arsenal have not fully followed through with the idea. Now Gabriel Jesus is a hybrid forward, so Havertz is being asked to play the same role.

Journalists also pressed Arteta on whether Arsenal could become more progressive with a true No. 9, but he admitted that their approach depends on squad health.

‘It will, of course, depend on what we have in terms of players, as this year for example, my idea did not fit what I wanted to do with all the players being healthy.’ I’ll see what I can do to make the best of the team, depending on who’s there.’

Or, put another way, he’s not obsessed with it but open to the idea.

The Zubimendi Rumors: Arteta Stays Tight-Lipped

As is customary, no transfer window is complete without Arsenal being linked with a midfielder maestro. Enter Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi. Spanish media quickly shut down rumors that he’s on his way to the Emirates this summer, while Tottenhamites were saying that his move was in the pipeline from England.

Arteta deftly avoided answering Marca`s questions when they asked him about Zubimendi links.

“What there is is normal to talk about players who are good, the ones we are going to have in our future planning to make a leap in quality.” However, I don’t discuss other team players. You know that.”

A classic Arteta one of saying a lot while saying nothing.

My Take on Arsenal’s Striker Situation

As the Arsenal fan (or the amused observer), I have got to say that I admire Arteta’s flexibility, but a proper No. 9 would not hurt. All Arsenal’s rivals—City with Erling Haaland, Liverpool with Darwin Núñez, even Chelsea have one—are trying to figure out if they have one in their squad somewhere. Havertz is doing well, but is he that man to lead Arsenal to greatness? Maybe. Maybe not. He’s not leading the line like a lost tourist, at least.

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