Arsenal were denied three points against Fulham as the Gunners drew 1-1 at Craven Cottage.
Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to take advantage of Liverpool’s postponed game, collecting a single point on the road against Fulham.
Defensive injuries were a problem for Arsenal, who were missing key players Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori, something that was noticeable.
Jakub Kiwior was criticised for his inability to defend against Raul Jimenez however, the Poland international’s blushes were spared by William Saliba, who scored Arsenal’s equaliser.
The draw epitomises Arsenal’s season so far, making Chelsea’s duel with Tottenham all the more interesting as the Blues looked to leapfrog the Gunners.
Arsenal fans compare Dominic Solanke to Kai Havertz
Chelsea have found a new lease of life under Enzo Maresca, which has come as unfortunate news for Arsenal, who have another club to contend with in the title race.
After the Gunners’ draw to Fulham, the two London clubs went head-to-head at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with one narrative certainly catching the eye of Arsenal fans.
Dominic Solanke opened the scoring for Spurs in clinical fashion, leading Gooners to compare the Englishman to their own striker, Kai Havertz.
“Look at Solanke’s movement, I saw Saka put in better crosses today with Havertz nowhere to be seen,” a furious Arsenal fan said.
The reactions flooded in on X, with Arsenal supporters far and wide commenting on Havertz’s inability to act as a natural finisher.
- “That movement and finish from Solanke…Havertz could never. Crazy how he’s a striker at a title challenging team.”
- “Havertz doesn’t score this goal Solanke scored. We need to buy a serious striker in January.”
- “Look at Solanke’s goal. That’s what a proper CF does. Not this Havertz nonsense we are trying to do.”
- “I hope Havertz isn’t resting. Watch the movement of Solanke, that’s how a striker should move when your winger is at the end of the ball.”
The sequence of play that led to Solanke finding the net had Arsenal fans thinking ‘what if’, with many directing their frustration at Arteta’s transfer decisions.
“Solanke is hardly world class but look at his run there. You’d have Jesus at CDM and Havertz offside in that situation.”
Arsenal fans have been left agitated at the recruitment decisions of both Arteta and former sporting director Edu Gaspar, who have spent a lot of money on two strikers who are not reliable goalscorers.
Both Gabriel Jesus and Havertz had a difficult afternoon at Craven Cottage, with Spurs’ clash with Chelsea only reminding those at the Emirates of the number nine that’s missing.
Havertz isn’t offering Arsenal enough
While Havertz had an impressive season in front of goal last term, the Germany international is far from possessing the profile of a reliable goalscorer.
Havertz has been criticised for his inability to read the game as a true striker, which could prove to be costly to the Gunners in their hope to win silverware.
Creating chances is one thing but converting play to goals is another, spelling out a significant issue that Arteta has to solve.
Havertz’s lack of goalscoring instinct was on show against Fulham, making for a nightmare afternoon for Gooners who watched their rivals flex the one thing Arteta does not have.
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