One former Arsenal player thinks Mikel Arteta should do something really bold on the opening day of the new season.
Arsenal face Manchester United on matchday one, kicking off the 2025/26 campaign with a Premier League blockbuster.
It’ll be a huge test for both clubs in a match brimmed with rivalry, excitement and new signings.
Viktor Gyokeres will line up for Arsenal, while Benjamin Sesko could make his debut for Man United, with the two targets of both clubs this summer set to go head-to-head.
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Mikel Arteta told to alter Kai Havertz’s position against Man United
Sesko thought he was Arsenal-bound, as the Gunners made their admiration for the former RB Leipzig striker known.
In the end, Arsenal opted to choose Gyokeres over Sesko due to the 27-year-old’s ‘ready to go’ status, having scored 97 domestic goals since the start of 2023/24.
There is one issue that Arteta could run into, as Gyokeres needs time to adapt to his new teammates, but the Arsenal manager has been urged to better support the Swede by making a shock tweak to his lineup at Old Trafford.
Former Arsenal midfielder David Hillier shared his opinion on Kai Havertz’s role against United when speaking on the Highbury Squad podcast.
It’s fair to say Hillier’s opinion is a real surprise.
“Now this is my little sort of, you know, we’re talking about that left-hand side. I think I’d have Havertz out there. I think he’s looked strong,” he said.
“I think the manager has invested a lot in him, and he’s prepared to go all out and do what the manager says. So he’s one of my players who will be selfless in the game.”
Havertz does look a lot quicker, but that’s not the only reason why Hillier believes the £65m signing could start on the left in Manchester.
“He won’t mind sitting out on that left-hand side, maybe going into that centre forward position when Gyokeres is out of position.
“So effectively to have two forwards up the pitch. Especially if Calafiori plays inverted and pushes down that left-hand side.”
There are pros and cons to Hillier’s masterplan, but one fault stands out more than anything else.
Arsenal need pace in wide areas against Man United
Havertz has silenced doubters about his role as a striker, but the 25-year-old would be pushing his luck to be considered a winger.
If there’s one way Arsenal can get the better of United, it’s in the wide areas, as Ruben Amorim has recently altered his go-to choice at right-wing-back.
Amad Diallo has been playing the role in pre-season for the Red Devils, which, while helping United offensively, causes an imbalance defensively.
For that reason, Arteta needs to count on his wide players more than ever, with Noni Madueke having a good chance of starting over Gabriel Martinelli on the left.
Regardless of who starts, the pair have searing pace and are more than capable of taking their marker to the byline, something Havertz is not overly accustomed to.
The opening day is one of experimentation in many aspects, but the desire to win is greater than ever, limiting the likelihood of Arteta playing Havertz out of position.
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