Kai Havertz once again failed to get on the scoresheet as Arsenal managed a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
The German forward has four Premier League goals under his belt this season for Arsenal, after starting the campaign in fine form, but has now gone four games in the competition without scoring, having played every minute of those matches.
The 25-year-old came close to scoring against his former club at Stamford Bridge, as he had an effort ruled out for a narrow offside infringement by VAR. However, the fact remains that Kai Havertz is not the most prolific of attackers.
Micah Richards calls for support for Kai Havertz at Arsenal
Havertz has been called a liability for Arsenal due to his lack of goals. Whilst this is a harsh assessment of the player, given all that he offers to Mikel Arteta’s side, a lack of goals has certainly been a problem for the Gunners this season.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has now had his say on what Havertz offers Arsenal, and what Arteta must now do to take his squad to the next level.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, he said: “I think watching Arsenal for sort of the last two years, where they could’ve gone on and won the league, I really believe they need a striker now.
“I think Havertz has done exceptionally well, in terms of holding the ball up, the runs that he makes, linking up play, technically very good, works hard.
“He’s got all the attributes for what Arsenal want, in terms of the way they want to press, and the way they want to set up. Just sometimes, they need a poacher, they need that striker’s instinct.”
Mikel Arteta’s striker signings
In his time as Arsenal manager, Arteta has arguably never signed an out-and-out striker. He has certainly never splashed the cash on a proven, clinical goalscorer in the ‘poacher’ mould advocated for by Richards.
Arteta tried to reinvent Havertz as a midfielder when he first came to Arsenal, after he had failed to impress consistently as a striker for Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus spent much of his time playing on the wing whilst he was at Manchester City. He was brought to the Emirates Stadium to serve as a number nine, but that plan has hardly worked out. The time has come for Arsenal to cut their losses with Jesus.
Signing a reliable finisher now needs to be the Gunners’ top priority heading into the upcoming January transfer window.
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