Kai Havertz made his long-awaited return to action for Arsenal in the FA Cup third round win over Portsmouth.
It was a perfect afternoon for Gabriel Martinelli, who scored three goals to take home the match ball.
Martinelli was a man of the match contender against Portsmouth, but at full-time, the headlines belonged to Havertz.
Havertz returned and took no time to impress Arsenal fans, all while Viktor Gyokeres watched on from the bench.
Who was your Arsenal Man of the Match vs Portsmouth?
Kai Havertz’s FA Cup cameo against Portsmouth showed Viktor Gyokeres up
Gyokeres has been really poor since arriving at Arsenal, and due to Havertz’s injury, he’s had no strong competition.
Things have changed now, however, as the German returned to action at Fratton Park and showed Arsenal exactly what they’ve been missing.
Has Kai Havertz just ended Viktor Gyokeres’ run as Arsenal’s first-choice striker?
After Gyokeres’ horror show against Liverpool, Havertz entered the pitch against Portsmouth and showed the Swede how it’s done.
Of course, the level of opposition was contrasting, but it didn’t take much to realise that Havertz is so much better suited to Arsenal’s style of play than Gyokeres.
The proof isn’t only in the eye test, but in the numbers too, as in 43 minutes less than Gyokeres played against Liverpool, Havertz had a far greater impact on his return.
In 21 minutes, the 2023 signing had more shots, touches and won more aerial duels than his teammate did in 64 minutes against Liverpool, the match prior.
Arsenal have been missing so much in Havertz, and now, Arteta’s favourite striker is back.
The impact Havertz will have is already so clear
Scoring goals is the best measurement to compare strikers, but when it comes to Gyokeres and Havertz, it’s something else that reveals the difference.
Change my mind, Kai Havertz’s return can win Arsenal the league.
When Havertz came on, it took him no time at all to impact the game, dropping deep to get involved and play a superb ball forward for those ahead of him.
The German recorded one key pass in his 21-minute cameo, which is more than what Gyokeres averages in that area per match in the Premier League, as per Sofascore.
From playmaking to duel-winning, Havertz’s return will replenish Arsenal’s attack with what has been missing in Gyokeres’ game.
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