Arsenal enter a tough second half of the 2025-26 season and find themselves in a familiar but precarious position at the top of the Premier League, with the shadows of Manchester City and Aston Villa looming large.
Summer signing Victor Goqueres has grabbed the headlines, but Kai Havertz’s impending return from a long-term knee injury could ultimately be the catalyst for Mikel Arteta’s side winning the title.
Gökeres has struggled to adapt to the demands of Premier League football and his scoring returns have not been stellar.
The 27-year-old has scored just five goals in 16 league appearances for Arteta’s side this season.
Mikel Arteta happy with Havertz’s return
Arteta recently pointed out that Havertz brings a “different dimension” to the team, an assessment backed up by the German’s performance profile.
Before his injury in August, Havertz had established himself as the focal point of the Gunners’ attack.
His unique ability to function as a ‘false nine’, a traditional centre-forward, and even as a late-comer number eight, gives Arsenal tactical flexibility that cannot be replicated.
The Gunners have no shortage of talent in their squad, but they lack a player like Havertz.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Maduke and Eberechi Eze all fail to match Havertz’s versatility.
Havertz’s aerial prowess and timing in the box will be invaluable in the second half of the season, when opponents often sit deep in low blocks.
While Gokeres offers raw power and directness, Havertz excels in the half-spaces, dragging defenders out of position and creating space for wide attackers.
It was when he joined the attack that both Saka and Martinelli were at their best for the club in terms of scoring ability.
The data below shows how the Gunners performed when they started their attack with Havertz, Saka and Martinelli.
| metric | status |
| the game we started together | 68 |
| victory | 46 |
| draw | 12 |
| loss | 10 |
| Winning rate | 67.6% |
| total goals | 81 |
| Composite assist | 43 |
| Arsenal goals per match (start of match) | 2.4 |
Arsenal’s recent form has been characterized by hard-fought wins and struggles to score goals.
Own goals have helped them, especially in recent games against Wolves, Crystal Palace and Brighton.
Arsenal need a player like Havertz in their team
Havertz, who was Arsenal’s top Premier League scorer with nine goals last season (despite his own hamstring problems), offers a proven finishing touch.
Beyond the scoresheet, Havertz is a defensive machine in the final third. He does a lot of work with a high press and often forces his opponent into making mistakes.
When you have a player like Havertz who can sprint for 90 minutes and win the competition for the first pitch, it takes pressure off other players.
His return will be something of a new signing for the Gunners, having picked up the injury in the first game of the season away to Old Trafford.
Wide players such as Saka, Martinelli and Leandro Trossard may benefit from Havertz’s return, but Gokeres is expected to face increased competition.
Havertz could be the trump card Arteta needs to get Arsenal to the finish line.
Source: Mikel Arteta shortlists ambitious Arsenal targets ahead of January deadline
