Arsenal faces a dilemma in attack: The race for the number 9 spot.
Leading the Premier League but still unconvincing, Arsenal face a difficult choice in attack. The return of Kai Havertz creates direct competition for Gabriel Jesus.
Mikel Arteta's pleasant headache
Despite maintaining their top spot in the Premier League before Christmas following their victory over Everton, Arsenal still face questions about their attacking effectiveness. While direct rivals Manchester City boast a consistently prolific goalscorer in Erling Haaland, manager Mikel Arteta is still searching for the optimal formula for the center forward position. However, this issue is about to become a "pleasant headache" with the return of Kai Havertz from injury, promising fierce competition for the place.
Two options, two styles
Currently, Gabriel Jesus is the first-choice striker for the top attacking position. Although not a typical "number 9" with fearsome goal-scoring ability, the Brazilian striker contributes greatly to the team's overall play. Jesus' mobility, ability to link up with teammates, and individual technique make Arsenal's play smoother and more unpredictable. He frequently moves wide, creating space for his teammates and initiating many dangerous attacks.
However, the biggest variable right now is Kai Havertz. After a period out due to a knee injury, the German forward has returned to training. Coach Arteta couldn't hide his optimism: "He's progressing very well and quite quickly. We are very optimistic that Havertz will be back soon." Havertz's versatility, being able to play well as a false number 9 as well as an attacking midfielder, gives Arteta a completely different tactical solution. With his better physique, Havertz provides an aerial option and the ability to penetrate the penalty area from the second line.
Testing during the intense phase.
The packed fixture schedule during the Christmas and New Year period, including Carabao Cup matches, will be an opportunity for Arteta to experiment and rotate the squad. This is a golden time for both Jesus and Havertz to showcase their abilities and compete fairly for a starting spot in important Premier League matches.
Being top of the table at Christmas is a positive sign, but history has shown that it doesn't guarantee the championship. Arsenal have learned a bitter lesson before, leading at this stage but then faltering in the final stretch. To avoid this scenario, finding the optimal solution to their attacking problems is a critical task. The competition between Jesus and Havertz, along with the form of other attacking players, will be key to determining the Gunners' championship ambitions.
