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An unexpected duo, consisting of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, has emerged as a potential remedy for Arsenal’s lackluster attack. This pairing was not part of the club’s initial strategy, yet it might just be the key they’ve been searching for.
According to earlier insights from Daily Mail Sport, Kai Havertz was slated to lead the line for Arsenal this season. Meanwhile, the newly signed £64 million Swedish talent, Viktor Gyokeres, was anticipated to gradually adapt to the Premier League, with appearances tailored to specific matchups during his initial months.
Mikel Arteta, known for his preference against utilizing two strikers simultaneously, had not planned to field both players together. His six-year track record with Arsenal clearly shows a tendency towards single-striker formations.
In Tuesday’s clash with Sporting Lisbon, Havertz garnered attention for netting a crucial injury-time goal. The opportunity arose from Gabriel Martinelli’s precise assist and was facilitated by Gyokeres’ clever movement, which drew defenders away and allowed Havertz to score. Although Gyokeres’ contribution might have flown under the radar, his role in creating the opening was pivotal.
Previously, in a match against Southampton where Arsenal fell 2-1, Havertz provided an assist for Gyokeres, highlighting their developing on-field connection. Gyokeres’ ability to stretch defenses complements Havertz’s knack for exploiting the resulting spaces, suggesting a promising partnership in the making.
It was Viktor Gyokeres’ clever run late on in Lisbon that drew both centre backs away from Kai Havertz (right), so the German could slot in a winning goal for Arsenal
Gyokeres was battling against the defence of his former club and found little personal joy, but opened up the spaces for others
As pair, they complement each other well, with Gyokeres benefitting in particular. With Havertz alongside him, he has seen an increase in his goals per 90 (from 0.5 to 1.1), shots per 90 (from 2.2 to 3.0) and shots on target (0.9 to 1.9).
Havertz gets a small boost, too, with his goals per 90 (from 0.5 to 0.8) and shots on target (0.9 to 1.1) on the up, though his shots per 90 falls significantly (from 2.6 to 1.5).
Why does it work? For starters, there is a blend to their qualities. Havertz thrives in linking play and arriving late, Gyokeres offers physicality and a constant willingness to run beyond. Separately, they have had their moments. Together, they are beginning to make more sense.
Arteta revealed on Monday that it was in December 2024 when he and Arsenal zeroed in on Gyokeres to complement Havertz, who had shouldered the vast majority of the attacking burden in the last two years with the likes of Gabriel Jesus often injured and Eddie Nketiah sold.
But the depth Arteta had craved for some time was wiped out immediately – Havertz suffering a knee injury on the opening day at Manchester United on August 17, meaning Gyokeres would not be eased in at all.
It started off ponderously, the ex-Sporting man often going missing in games, struggling to a forge a connection with team-mates who were seemingly unable to anticipate his runs or find the striker around the area. In Havertz, he might finally have found a player he can link up with.
The first time they started together was January 28 against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League, and within 15 minutes they had assisted each other. Three days later Arteta stuck with them in the 4-0 win over Leeds, where they were effective without being spectacular.
Since then, the likes of Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard have reasserted themselves, and Havertz and Gyokeres have only started together once — the drab Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City on March 22, when Eze and Odegaard were both injured.
Havertz and Gyokeres’ burgeoning partnership offers Arsenal a new dimension as they look to find more attacking fluidity in the run-in
Havertz was meant to be Mikel Arteta’s first-choice No 9 this season – but has now found a new role after an injury-plagued campaignÂ
Instead, they have been limited to late bursts together, such as those at Southampton and Sporting in the last week. Club captain Odegaard remains one of Arteta’s most trusted lieutenants and there are also practical considerations.
Havertz’s knee requires careful management and his minutes are limited as a result. It also means he is being deployed deeper, preserving his physical load while still contributing creatively – but that, in itself, may be part of the solution. It allows Gyokeres to remain the focal point while Havertz operates with freedom.
A partnership that once looked like a contingency plan is beginning to resemble a viable alternative.
In a season that may yet be decided by fine margins, Arteta has, perhaps unexpectedly, uncovered a new dynamic at just the right time.