Arsenal fans are now urging Mikel Arteta to make a ruthless call and axe Kai Havertz from the side away at Everton after Leandro Trossard scored a screamer for Belgium.
The Gunners come out of the international break with a trip to Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday. Arsenal have a torrid record at Everton over their recent trips, having not beaten the Toffees on Merseyside since October 2017. They have lost each of the past three.
Everton even beat Arsenal 2-1 in December 2021 under Rafa Benitez despite losing their last three top-flight fixtures and being winless in eight. The Blues were again winless in eight this February. But Sean Dyche won 1-0 in his first game after replacing Frank Lampard in charge.
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Arteta has trusted Havertz but not Trossard at Arsenal this season
Dyche is yet to oversee a Premier League win so far this term after four fixtures. But Everton ended last season with a 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth at Goodison on the final day. Now, the Blues are preparing to host an Arsenal side unbeaten in their last five top-flight matches.
Arsenal have started the 2023/24 campaign with three wins and one draw under Arteta. He has also started Havertz in each of their games following the 24-year-old’s £62.5m, rising to £67.5m, transfer from Chelsea in June. But Havertz’s performances have drawn many critics.
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The German has struggled to settle into the role that Granit Xhaka held at Emirates Stadium. Havertz has severely lacked an end product for all of his efforts in and out of possession. He also spurned a glorious chance to score from yards out in their win over Manchester United.
All the while Trossard has had to settle for watching on from Arsenal’s bench as Arteta picks alternative attackers. The 28-year-old has only played 62 minutes in the Premier League this season so far. He has further only featured against Nottingham Forest and against Fulham.
Gunners fans want Trossard to start after scoring for Belgium
Arteta brought Trossard on for Eddie Nketiah in the 73rd minute of Arsenal’s win against the Reds. He then overlooked the Belgian at Crystal Palace before starting Trossard over Nketiah against Fulham. Yet Arteta hooked the forward at the break, while Nketiah came on to score.
Now, though, some Arsenal fans are urging Arteta to axe Havertz and start Trossard away to Everton after seeing the Waterschei native score in Belgium’s 5-0 win over Estonia. The Red Devils humbled their Group F rival at the Koning Boudewijn Stadion in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
Trossard struck Belgium’s second goal with a sensational solo effort in the 18th minute after receiving possession from Romelu Lukaku. He collected the ball on the edge of Estonia’s box and beat three defenders before thumping the ball home for his sixth goal in 28 caps so far.
It was the perfect response for Trossard after the Arsenal attacker received criticism for his performance in Belgium’s win over Azerbaijan last Saturday. And some Gunners supporters are now urging Arteta to axe Havertz in order to start Trossard away at Everton on Sunday…