Mikel Arteta made two changes to his side that beat Tottenham as Arsenal battle Atalanta in the Champions League.
After beating Spurs in the Premier League on match day four, Arsenal returned to action four days later in the Champions League.
Arteta’s side kicked off their Champions League campaign with an away trip to Atalanta, seeing Declan Rice return to the starting XI.
The other change came in attack, as Gabriel Jesus was handed a start with Leandro Trossard dropping to the bench.
- READ MORE: Who are the six Arsenal wonderkids named on the bench for Atalanta Champions League clash?
Leon Osman spots Kai Havertz position during Arsenal vs Atalanta
Aside from the two changes in personnel, Arteta made a positional tweak to Kai Havertz’s role, as the German made way for Jesus to lead the line.
Havertz has usurped the Brazilian to be regarded as Arsenal’s first choice striker, with the former Manchester City ace getting his chance to impress in the Champions League.
While on paper, it seemed as though Havertz would play in the vacant midfield role left by Martin Odegaard, former Premier League ace Leon Osman shared an interesting verdict.
Arteta’s former teammate at Everton said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s coverage of the fixture that Havertz had formed part of a ‘front two’ with Jesus.
“Kai Havertz’s position has been interesting this evening,” Osman said.
“He’s not part of a midfield three but more part of a front two. He is dropping into spaces and sometimes he is beyond Gabriel Jesus.”
Arsenal’s number 29 was spotted making a nuisance of himself between the lines against Atalanta, acting as the Gunners’ target man when fusing with Jesus in the final third.
Havertz more important for Arsenal in Martin Odegaard’s absence
Arsenal were dealt a huge blow ahead of the fixture due to Odegaard’s absence, as the Norweigan is set to miss a chunk of football after picking up an ankle injury.
The Arsenal captain could miss up to nine games of action as a result, making Havertz’s versatility even more of a positive for Arteta.
- READ MORE: The nine games that Martin Odegaard will now miss for Arsenal as injury timeline revealed
The Spaniard’s adaptability has truly been tested as a result of Arsenal’s injury situation, eased by having talents as fluid as the German in his side.
Being able to cover the void left by Odegaard without jeopardising the strength in attack is a fortunate situation that the Gunners find themselves in, thanks to the 2023 signing.
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