Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a significant challenge as his team prepares to visit Liverpool on Sunday, with a shortage of attacking options raising concerns about their ability to break down a resilient defense. Last season's defeat at Anfield highlighted the Gunners' vulnerability when they lack a decisive edge in the final third, a problem that appears acute in the current squad configuration.
The absence of key attackers has complicated Arteta's plans. Bukayo Saka, the team's leading scorer and shot creator, is sidelined with a thigh injury for more than a month. Noni Madueke may also miss the trip due to an ankle issue, while Christos Tzolis has not played for his new club in over a month despite returning to training. Additionally, Max Dowman will serve the first of a three-match suspension following a controversial red card.
Despite these absences, Arsenal possesses depth, but the lack of a first-choice center forward in peak condition is notable. Kai Havertz has endured a difficult start to the season, described as perhaps the most inconsistent campaign since joining the club in 2020. His performances have fluctuated wildly, ranging from impressive displays to a wasteful showing in an EFL Cup loss to Fleetwood.
Havertz's struggles coincide with a return from a muscle strain sustained during the last international break. Since returning, he has played in every match, including a full hour against Leeds, but has recorded no goals and only one assist in six games. Arteta has dismissed the injury as a primary cause, stating that the player had sufficient opportunities to contribute and that the dip in output is not a direct hangover from his physical issues.
Statistical analysis reveals a significant drop in efficiency for the German international. Across eight league matches, Havertz is averaging fewer shots, goals, and non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes than in any previous season at Arsenal. This decline persists even when adjusting for the fact that he is touching the ball less frequently on average this year compared to last.
A particularly striking trend is the sharp increase in offsides called against Havertz. In previous Premier League seasons, he typically averaged less than one offside per 90 minutes. This season, however, he has been caught offside ten times, a league-leading figure that significantly outpaces his nearest rivals. Some of these instances may be attributed to specific tactical setups, such as playing against high lines, but others suggest a timing issue in his runs.
Observations from recent matches, such as his performance against Aston Villa, indicate that Havertz may be slightly out of sync with his teammates. He has been seen moving too early to receive passes from captain Martin Odegaard, resulting in misplaced shots. Arteta acknowledged this wobble on Friday but expressed full trust in the player, noting that such fluctuations in efficiency are common among forwards.
The alternative option, Viktor Gyokeres, has also struggled to find consistency. While he delivered his best performance of the season in a win over Everton, he still did not register a shot. His overall shooting averages remain low compared to other squad members, leading many to believe he is not the ideal choice for a high-pressure match at Anfield.
Consequently, Havertz is expected to start the match against Liverpool. The game serves as a crucial opportunity for him to reignite his form and prove his worth as the team's primary striker. With the match scheduled for Sunday morning Eastern Time at Anfield, all eyes will be on whether the German can find the rhythm needed to influence the outcome for the Gunners.
