There’s no doubt that Arsenal have experienced something akin to a blip since the last international break, only winning one of their three games.
Mikel Arteta now has incredibly high standards at Arsenal, ones that fans expect their team to adhere to on a regular basis.
Such has been the level of competition from Manchester City in recent years, the Arsenal fanbase have tended to panic whenever things aren’t perfect, knowing there’s simply no room for manoeuvre against Pep Guardiola.
Of course, with a fully fit team, there’s no doubt that Arsenal are equipped to win the Premier League title.
And amid another injury crisis, perhaps Kai Havertz is one player who deserves credit for how consistently available he is, despite ‘throwing himself about’ in games.
Kai Havertz praised but Arsenal still need a new striker to win Premier League
Those are the words of Jermaine Jenas who was speaking via Stadium Astro after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Jenas was asked if he thought Arsenal needed a new number nine to really surge their title-push in the coming months.
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And although the pundit was keen to see a striker arrive at the Emirates Stadium, he also wanted to make his praise for Havertz’s renaissance very clear.
Jenas said: “They’re hard to find, aren’t they? I think that is the issue there, I think everyone is looking around and thinking well, who is that person? Can they go and spend £100m on that person right now? It might not be the time.
“I think what I will say about Kai Havertz is when he first arrived at the club there was a lot of nay-sayers, a lot of people kind of questioned his performances because they weren’t really at that point.
“But I think last year, he really came to the fore, showed what he’s about and I think, even games like today, he throws himself about, doesn’t he? He never hides.
“The goals, he’s not a natural sort of goalscorer, he’s very good in front of goal but he’s not a typical number nine.
“And I think he does a good job but there’s no doubt that, if you know if Arsenal want to kind of elevate themselves to that next level – everyone would love a big number nine.”
Arsenal consider futures of Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko
Of course, a significant factor in Arsenal signing a new striker either in January or beyond, will be their ability to move players on.
Right now, Arteta has a well-stocked squad, and it’ll probably be a one in, one out policy in the future.
That being said, Arsenal might be open to selling Oleksandr Zinchenko in January, who was snubbed during the draw with Liverpool.
Thomas Partey played as a right-back in that game, excelling up against Luis Diaz.
And it seems as if Arsenal could offer Partey a new contract should his good fitness and form continue.
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