Mikel Arteta told Arsenal are ‘dying for’ one transfer as brutal Kai Havertz verdict emerges

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Returning to Premier League football after the last international break for a long while, Arsenal are in fourth position and nine points behind Liverpool.

Looking at the table after 11 games played, perhaps Arsenal will be concerned with the amount of goals they have scored, which is less than all three teams ahead of them.

Context does have to be given – Arsenal have gone down to 10 men in three of those 11 games, which has had a huge impact.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	11	9	1	1	21	6	15	28
2	Man CityManchester City	11	7	2	2	22	13	9	23
3	ChelseaChelsea	11	5	4	2	21	13	8	19
4	ArsenalArsenal	11	5	4	2	18	12	6	19
5	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	11	5	4	2	15	10	5	19
6	BrightonBrighton	11	5	4	2	19	15	4	19

However, it’s hard to argue that life wouldn’t have been easier for Mikel Arteta thus far were his team able to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal.

In the defeat to Bournemouth for example, Gabriel Martinelli missed a massive chance at 0-0, even after the Gunners had lost William Saliba to a red card.

Gabriel Agbonlahor says Kai Havertz has been ‘so poor’ for Arsenal

All that considered, pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal’s firepower and Kai Havertz in particular.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor claimed that the German was ‘so poor’ against Chelsea before the break, saying Havertz is being ‘bullied’ right now.

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Asked if Arsenal are contenders to win the Premier League, Agbonlahor replied: “No, I don’t think so, I think they’ve gone, I really do. 

“When I watched them, they’re too reliant on Saka, Martinelli will turn up one game out of five.

“Havertz doesn’t look to me like he’s that leader that you want up front – they miss a striker.

“You see the problem though, that last season I’m sure they only scored three or four goals less than them – have to check that, less than Manchester City.

“So everyone was saying they don’t need a striker, they spread their goals out – Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz, but, what would you do if you did have a striker?

“You might go and score 10 more goals than Manchester City. Arsenal, for me, are dying for an Isak, that sort of player who can hold the ball up, he’s strong, he’s aggressive, he’s quick in behind and he can score every type of goal.

“Havertz is getting bullied, he doesn’t know where he’s playing, the Chelsea game he was so poor.

“So for me, Arsenal, if they don’t make a top striker signing in January, I don’t think they’re going to be up there.”

What has Alexander Isak said about joining Arsenal?

Interestingly, Alexander Isak was quizzed about leaving Newcastle after recent reports that contract talks with the club were hitting issues.

Isak scored a stunning header to beat Arsenal 1-0 at St James’ Park recently, a player who Arteta would surely rather be wearing red.

Before he left, Edu had a five-man striker shortlist at Arsenal, one that didn’t contain Isak surprisingly.

And it’ll be interesting to see how Arsenal approach recruiting a new number nine in the future, and whether they will have the financial muscle to pursue someone like Isak, as Agbonlahor suggests.