Arsenal FC | 2025/26 Season

[aboveandbeyond]

Looks like the club's mascot is letting fireworks off early as usual.

Let's see how long before usual dissapearing act and excuses happen. Might even be before October this season.

Will get the tissue box ready for your tears

Yep. Trolling season. They Guy gets a kick out of it, once as usual he's proven wrong, the famous disappearing act will follow.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Yep. Trolling season. They Guy gets a kick out of it, once as usual he's proven wrong, the famous disappearing act will follow.

Sadly you have people like celebrating
2nd place, supposed pull in transfer window, whose had best transfer window, whose failure is best.

This is the backwards mentality you know have with these cheerleaders. It's actually embarrassing.

 

[MK7Z]

Tick tock Mikel tick tock

Madueke 50M and nobody else. YET

There must be consequences for consistent mediocre signings especially when there are other needs where funds could have been used. Now we must sell to buy.

1 improvement this summer is Gyokores. He was needed last year. Everyone else we have signed are replacements for what we lost.

Zubimendi obviously is high quality but number wise he is a replacement not an addition.

So in Mikels words last season we were short in numbers. And yet we've not actually expanded.

Goes back to previous discussions where it's been said we are always behind when it comes to the transfer window as we address needs from the previous season.

Sign Eze and/Or a LW then we are serious.

Side note... We need to be better creatively and if captain doesn't improve from last season we are in big trouble as we don't have creative MFs and a gun man up front.

 

[MK7Z]

Im

 

[MK7Z]

I'm going to try and catch the game today. I want to see something different. Maybe Havertz in the creative pocket or him and Captain but playing further up the field behind gyokores.

I looked at the review of the game the other day and we ended the game with Merino up front!!!???

Pre season and we are already resorting to stop gaps. Sigh.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Tick tock Mikel tick tock

Madueke 50M and nobody else. YET

There must be consequences for consistent mediocre signings especially when there are other needs where funds could have been used. Now we must sell to buy.

1 improvement this summer is Gyokores. He was needed last year. Everyone else we have signed are replacements for what we lost.

Zubimendi obviously is high quality but number wise he is a replacement not an addition.

So in Mikels words last season we were short in numbers. And yet we've not actually expanded.

Goes back to previous discussions where it's been said we are always behind when it comes to the transfer window as we address needs from the previous season.

Sign Eze and/Or a LW then we are serious.

Side note... We need to be better creatively and if captain doesn't improve from last season we are in big trouble as we don't have creative MFs and a gun man up front.

100% spot on summary

We had a small squad last season, the manager kept saying the squad was short. 200M later we have increased squad numbers by 1.

Once you get past the starting 11, this squad in midfield and upfront will be exposed for lack of numbers and quality.

Sadly most of fan base is to busy bantering man utd and Newcastle over whose failure is best.

Until fans start calling the managers incompetence out, nothing will change.

This season will be no different to last 5, Arsenal will fall short of winning stuff again.

Don't worry some fans will be celebrating draws at anfield, eithad, we beat this team in CL group stages etc.. like it's a trophy again this season.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I'm going to try and catch the game today. I want to see something different. Maybe Havertz in the creative pocket or him and Captain but playing further up the field behind gyokores.

I looked at the review of the game the other day and we ended the game with Merino up front!!!???

Pre season and we are already resorting to stop gaps. Sigh.

Plan B is merino or havertz up front. If plan A get ball to saka and get prayer mats don't work. Plan B play long balls to merino.

Stoke City football at its finest

 

[aboveandbeyond]

I'm going to try and catch the game today. I want to see something different. Maybe Havertz in the creative pocket or him and Captain but playing further up the field behind gyokores.

I looked at the review of the game the other day and we ended the game with Merino up front!!!???

Pre season and we are already resorting to stop gaps. Sigh.

As a Neutral i agree. Havertz in the creative Pocket will be far better than Odegaard. That's his natural position. Thats where he made his name at Leverkuson. @Amjid Javed bro wont agree lol

 

[aboveandbeyond]

I'm going to try and catch the game today. I want to see something different. Maybe Havertz in the creative pocket or him and Captain but playing further up the field behind gyokores.

I looked at the review of the game the other day and we ended the game with Merino up front!!!???

Pre season and we are already resorting to stop gaps. Sigh.

Modern football has pushed No.10s like Kai Havertz to the brink of extinction

The Germany international has spent the last three years playing in just about every position except for the one he thrived in at Bayer Leverkusen. But that's not the midfielder's fault.

gegenpressing.substack.com

 

[topspin]

One of my previous posts I did say, Madueke could well be a decent signing for Arsenal. He has all the attributes. Just inconsistent at the moment.

The biggest I have with him is his price tag. Ofc that's not his fault but why are Arsenal paying £52m for someone who hasn't really progressed since when Chelsea signed him in 2023 - for £29m.

If we want to talk about English players, who are truly overvalued (inflated), Madueke is one of them.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

The biggest I have with him is his price tag. Ofc that's not his fault but why are Arsenal paying £52m for someone who hasn't really progressed since when Chelsea signed him in 2023 - for £29m.

If we want to talk about English players, who are truly overvalued (inflated), Madueke is one of them.

I think he will improve with consistent run of games. Problem at Chelsea, they had so many winger/forwards it became difficult for consistent games unless you where a Cole Palmer.

I do agree, his Transfer Fee was on the high side, but he did still have 5 years left on his contract, maybe Chelsea where selling him from a position of strength.

 

[topspin]

My Personal preference was Mateta because of his experience.

Good shout. He's scored 30 goals in 62 PL games, which is very good.

As both Hojlund and Zirkzee have been deemed inexperienced and have not coped well with the Weight of the shirt. And for this reason signing Delap was a risky business.

Man Utd paid in excess of £60m for Hojlund. Zirkzee was signed for over £35m. Let's now take a look at their goalscoring record for their previous clubs in Serie A:

Hojlund - Atlanta: 9 goals in 32 matches
Zirkzee - Bologna: 13 goals in 53 matches

So what we can conclude from this is Utd got scammed by two Italian clubs (as they do). Neither of these forwards were anywhere near proven. £100m gone the drain.

Liam Delap has 12 goals for a dogshit Ipswich team in 37 PL games. His release clause was £30m, so you can't say signing him is analogous to the signings of Hojlund and Zirkzee, when he had already proven himself in a PL team where he was feeding off scraps. It's a really poor take from you.

There's a reason why Man U went for Delap first because £30m for a player of his quality and ceiling is just a no brainer. Anyone who thinks otherwise just doesn't know ball.

As for Sesko he's of similar age but the stark difference of him Playing in the champions league in 3 of the past 4 seasons will hold him in good stead.

Manchester United delivered brutal £30m Liam Delap transfer truth

United are keen to sign the Ipswich Town forward this summer

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Whilst Sesko has a high ceiling and there is no doubt that his goal scoring record was better than both Hojlund and Zirkzee, I have to say his goal scoring record for Leipzig falls well short of expectations for a £70m+ centre forward.

It is pertinent to mention, Havertz had a very similar record to Sesko in his last two seasons of the Bundesliga.

 

[topspin]

I'm going to try and catch the game today. I want to see something different. Maybe Havertz in the creative pocket or him and Captain but playing further up the field behind gyokores.

I looked at the review of the game the other day and we ended the game with Merino up front!!!???

Pre season and we are already resorting to stop gaps. Sigh.

Even though it's pre-season, Arsenal cannot afford going into the OT game next weekend with 3 losses on the bounce. They have a very difficult opening set of fixtures. Need to hit the ground running soon!

 

[topspin]

@aboveandbeyond @topspin

It seems all the traditional top 6 sides have changed tact and now are wanting to go down the route of looking at young strikers. Main reasons for thar have been


- wanting a player who can develop over a long period of time
- resale value in future with players been young
- more youthful squads

Teams seen more focused on building younger squads for longer term, also having players with resale value. Teams are now thinking more from a buisness point of view then on the pitch

In regards to young strikers, unless your a freak of nature like Haaland, most strikers don't develop into lethal goal scorers or reach peak until mid to late 20s.

We've seen all big clubs sign or target young strikers and in the cases where they are seen to be the "main source" of goals they end up struggling under pressure.

Hjolund at united, Jackson at Chelsea are examples of that. If you look at Liverpool the have sign ekitike but he will have the luxury of having time to settle im, as Salah is there to score the bulk of the goals.

This is why Berta did a good job in seeing sense and swerving sesko. If Arteta the had his way then sesko would have been signed

Sesko going to united, makes zero sense, its just another hjolund / zirkzee type signing. Asking another young striker to be main source of goals. It didn't make sense when Arsenal were after him either.

Someone like Mateta with proven experience and reaching his peak would be more ideal for united, he would have be a good option if Chelsea wanted him but they have gone down youth route again. I'd have taken him at Arsenal as 2nd striker over donkeys like havertz and Merino, who look like they will be usee as back up options.

Strikers and even goalkeepers tend to peak as they get older, but everyone is more fascinated with "youth projects" at moment.

This is the thing.

Markhor rightly mentioned in the Man Utd thread, the Bundesliga is more open when it comes to their style of play, so when take that into account, is his goal scoring record really any better than Zirkzee or Hojlund before they joined Utd?

I would have definitely taken Mateta as a back up striker but the problem is he would've come at a cost, which for a 28 year old may have been hard to justify. This is why I would've signed Delap instead. £30m for him is a steal.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Good shout. He's scored 30 goals in 62 PL games, which is very good.



Man Utd paid in excess of £60m for Hojlund. Zirkzee was signed for over £35m. Let's now take a look at their goalscoring record for their previous clubs in Serie A:

Hojlund - Atlanta: 9 goals in 32 matches
Zirkzee - Bologna: 13 goals in 53 matches

So what we can conclude from this is Utd got scammed by two Italian clubs (as they do). Neither of these forwards were anywhere near proven. £100m gone the drain.

Liam Delap has 12 goals for a dogshit Ipswich team in 37 PL games. His release clause was £30m, so you can't say signing him is analogous to the signings of Hojlund and Zirkzee, when he had already proven himself in a PL team where he was feeding off scraps. It's a really poor take from you.

There's a reason why Man U went for Delap first because £30m for a player of his quality and ceiling is just a no brainer. Anyone who thinks otherwise just doesn't know ball.



Whilst Sesko has a high ceiling and there is no doubt that his goal scoring record was better than both Hojlund and Zirkzee, I have to say his goal scoring record for Leipzig falls well short of expectations for a £70m+ centre forward.

It is pertinent to mention, Havertz had a very similar record to Sesko in his last two seasons of the Bundesliga.

Absolutely scammed for Hojlund specially. The recruitment strategy at the time under Ten hag was truly awful, hopefully with the new Team in charge, we can have clarity.

Omirin, unlike Ten hag has a set philosophy, and he's earmarked Sesko for a while because of his all round attributes. Whilst he may not be prolific, we also have Mbeumo, who brings goals, energy, and Also Cunha. So when we take all this in to account, hopefully the Goals can be shared. And add Bruno to the equation, things could possibly be encouraging going in to the new season

 

[Amjid Javed]

As a Neutral i agree. Havertz in the creative Pocket will be far better than Odegaard. That's his natural position. Thats where he made his name at Leverkuson. @Amjid Javed bro wont agree lol

I don't doubt that havertz did well in German league, that what got him the move to the PL. He's had 5 seasons to adjust and prove his worth and he hasn't, the continual excuse that he's been misused in positions is a load of rubbish.

To play as a number 10

- high quality passing
- Good 1st touch
- progressive passing / killer final ball
- pace over either a short or long distance

Havertz has none of the attributes above and is exactly why he's a failure.

Other then been half decent in the air or some physical presence he's nothing to ride home about. The guys the German version of Kevin Davies (who use to play for bolton)

 

[topspin]

Absolutely scammed for Hojlund specially. The recruitment strategy at the time under Ten hag was truly awful, hopefully with the new Team in charge, we can have clarity.

Omirin, unlike Ten hag has a set philosophy, and he's earmarked Sesko for a while because of his all round attributes. Whilst he may not be prolific, we also have Mbeumo, who brings goals, energy, and Also Cunha. So when we take all this in to account, hopefully the Goals can be shared. And add Bruno to the equation, things could possibly be encouraging going in to the new season

Man U have had a decent transfer windows and for a team who have finished 15th, they have exceeded expectations with who they’ve signed this summer so far.

Now it’s down to Amorim to prove his managerial credentials.

Even though I feel Arsenal are still two players short of competing for the title, I am looking forward to the contest at OT next weekend. Should be exciting to see Gyokeres and Sesko in action.

 

[Amjid Javed]

This is the thing.

Markhor rightly mentioned in the Man Utd thread, the Bundesliga is more open when it comes to their style of play, so when take that into account, is his goal scoring record really any better than Zirkzee or Hojlund before they joined Utd?

I would have definitely taken Mateta as a back up striker but the problem is he would've come at a cost, which for a 28 year old may have been hard to justify. This is why I would've signed Delap instead. £30m for him is a steal.

Reasons clubs aren't going for Mateta, watkins, Toney is pure fact clubs are more worried about re-sale value and PSR. Then actually taking a risk on one player, that might get you goals over a 2 year period and contribute to winning something

 

[topspin]

I don't doubt that havertz did well in German league, that what got him the move to the PL. He's had 5 seasons to adjust and prove his worth and he hasn't, the continual excuse that he's been misused in positions is a load of rubbish.

To play as a number 10

- high quality passing
- Good 1st touch
- progressive passing / killer final ball
- pace over either a short or long distance

Havertz has none of the attributes above and is exactly why he's a failure.

Other then been half decent in the air or some physical presence he's nothing to ride home about. The guys the German version of Kevin Davies (who use to play for bolton)

Havertz has now become jack of all trades because his best position is not compatible to the modern game.

If we were still playing 4-4-2, he would be the perfect support striker imo.

But truthfully, Arsenal should never have signed him. He’s not worth £67m. It was another case of Chelsea scamming their London rivals.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

This is the thing.

Markhor rightly mentioned in the Man Utd thread, the Bundesliga is more open when it comes to their style of play, so when take that into account, is his goal scoring record really any better than Zirkzee or Hojlund before they joined Utd?

I would have definitely taken Mateta as a back up striker but the problem is he would've come at a cost, which for a 28 year old may have been hard to justify. This is why I would've signed Delap instead. £30m for him is a steal.

Yep. Mateta was my first choice. Again, because of his all round game, he's 2 footed, physically imposing, and he had the Drogba vibes about him. He's 27, right at his peak years.

Delap is potentially V Good, but for me his all round game is not developed like Sesko, sesko is a baller of a footballer, whilst Delap may develop in to a V Good regular Goal scorer. Will be really interesting at Chelsea though from what I've seen of Joao Pedro, he's going to be a real baller, he could make it Difficult for Delap to dislodge him.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Man U have had a decent transfer windows and for a team who have finished 15th, they have exceeded expectations with who they’ve signed this summer so far.

Now it’s down to Amorim to prove his managerial credentials.

Even though I feel Arsenal are still two players short of competing for the title, I am looking forward to the contest at OT next weekend. Should be exciting to see Gyokeres and Sesko in action.

Amorim, has players he wants now and if he fails again he should be rightly sacked.

If he's got any sort of tactic sense then next weekend he will set up with a 4-3-3 and look to play with a low block. Then look to just ask only his front 3 to press the ball when it goes into zubemendi. Zubemendi as good a passer he is, won't get time on ball like he does in la liga, so united if there smart will look to nick the ball when he's progressing and look to hit on the counter.

Arteta on flip side needs to get the team to move the ball quicker. The slow ponderous recycling of the ball won't work against teams set up to defend and hit on counter.

Arsenal have to go and win these type of games early on, that means been brave on ball and taking risk. But we aren't set up to do that.

 

[topspin]

Really good first half from Arsenal.

Zubimendi crosses and Gyokeres scores with a header. Great to see the new signings combining well.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Really good first half from Arsenal.

Zubimendi crosses and Gyokeres scores with a header. Great to see the new signings combining well.

Both played well in 1st half. Good thar Gyokeres got his goal

LMS needs to start game at LB next week. Calafori whilst looks good going forward looks like a liability defending.

The players outside the strongest 11 will need to step up as that's ultimately where the weakness is in the squad

 

[MK7Z]

Good run out. Good to see Gyokores add a proper number 9 to our team. LW still an issue

Zubimendi class. Madueke put a good cross into. Shocking seeing that from the LW

 

[topspin]

We can get the fireworks out

 

[topspin]

Both played well in 1st half. Good thar Gyokeres got his goal

I didn’t think the swede had it in him to score headers.

Zubimendi looks class. If he can show this form in the league, it’s fair to say he’s an upgrade on Partey.

LMS needs to start game at LB next week. Calafori whilst looks good going forward looks like a liability defending

100% agree.

The players outside the strongest 11 will need to step up as that's ultimately where the weakness is in the squad

Good cameos from Havertz and Madueke.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I didn’t think the swede had it in him to score headers.

Zubimendi looks class. If he can show this form in the league, it’s fair to say he’s an upgrade on Partey.



100% agree.



Good cameos from Havertz and Madueke.

The entire left side of the team is still dead. We won't get away with that all season.

Hopefully Zubimendi will start season well like he has been in pre season, Rice and Odegaard in front of him have move the ball quicker infront of him, otherwise the progressive build up just becomes disjointed.

Bilbao were awful, nico Williams was his usual hit n miss, people get carried away with his Spain performances to much. Glad Arsenal stopped showing an interest in him.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

The entire left side of the team is still dead. We won't get away with that all season.

Hopefully Zubimendi will start season well like he has been in pre season, Rice and Odegaard in front of him have move the ball quicker infront of him, otherwise the progressive build up just becomes disjointed.

Bilbao were awful, nico Williams was his usual hit n miss, people get carried away with his Spain performances to much. Glad Arsenal stopped showing an interest in him.

Good performance from the Gooners. You can only beat what's infront of you

 

[Amjid Javed]

Good performance from the Gooners. You can only beat what's infront of you

The performance was most important thing, like I've said all pre-season.

 

[Mamoon]

Bulked up Havertz is inevitable. What pace, what strength.

 

[Mamoon]

Brilliant header by Gyokeres. A proper striker’s goal.

1 down, 227 to go.

 

[topspin]

Bulked up Havertz is inevitable. What pace, what strength.

Brilliant run and finish. Where did that pace come from? I've never seen him look so quick in an Arsenal shirt.

 

[Mamoon]

Brilliant run and finish. Where did that pace come from? I've never seen him look so quick in an Arsenal shirt.

He has the put in the hard yards over the last few months. He should start some games in the #10 position ahead of Odegaard.

 

[topspin]

He has the put in the hard yards over the last few months. He should start some games in the #10 position ahead of Odegaard.

As things stand, I would go one step further. Why can't he start ahead of Odegaard? We are gradually seeing the return of 4-4-2. Havertz would be perfect as a second striker (4-4-2)/number 10 (4-3-3)

 

[aboveandbeyond]

As things stand, I would go one step further. Why can't he start ahead of Odegaard? We are gradually seeing the return of 4-4-2. Havertz would be perfect as a second striker (4-4-2)/number 10 (4-3-3)

Yep. You will see the best of Havertz playing just off the CF in the spaces of a number 10.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

He has the put in the hard yards over the last few months. He should start some games in the #10 position ahead of Odegaard.

For once I agree. Havertz flexibility has done him no good, his ideal position is the 10.

 

[Amjid Javed]

After 5 seasons of PL failure, one goal in preseason and now the german donkey is been hyped as the new Bergkamp again

Good to see the low standards don't change

The usual dissapearing in big games will happen.

One minute Arsenal need to sign a number 10, all of sudden the saviour is here



The whole premier league must be quaking in their boots.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Yep. You will see the best of Havertz playing just off the CF in the spaces of a number 10.

just like the last 5 PL seasons, where he's been dropping turds every week.

Glorified FTB. 5 years of failure all forgotten because of a goal in a preseason friendly

 

[Amjid Javed]

You know when someone is clueless and retarded when they count a goal in a pre-season friendly. Then think it actually counts as an official goal.

1 down and 227 left . Must go down as one of the most retarded comments in PP history

 

[topspin]

After 5 seasons of PL failure, one goal in preseason and now the german donkey is been hyped as the new Bergkamp again

Good to see the low standards don't change

The usual dissapearing in big games will happen.

One minute Arsenal need to sign a number 10, all of sudden the saviour is here



The whole premier league must be quaking in their boots.

I think you're being really harsh.

They aren't many players who could play the role of a second striker better than him. He's decent in the air and would make a good target man. It's exactly what Giroud excelled at. Just like him, he could be the focal point and lay off the ball to the players around him.

Havertz is not an ideal lone centre forward but he would fit in as a second striker like a glove.

I was not a fan of his signing because of the fee Arsenal paid and also because the club should've pursued a goal scoring striker instead (at the time) but there's a fine player in him.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I think you're being really harsh.

They aren't many players who could play the role of a second striker better than him. He's decent in the air and would make a good target man. It's exactly what Giroud excelled at. Just like him, he could be the focal point and lay off the ball to the players around him.

Havertz is not an ideal lone centre forward but he would fit in as a second striker like a glove.

I was not a fan of his signing because of the fee Arsenal paid and also because the club should've pursued a goal scoring striker instead (at the time) but there's a fine player in him.

He's a proven PL flop over 5 seasons, one goal in a pre-Seaaon game isn't going to change that.

If goals in Emirates Cup were a sign of improvement, then yaya sanago would have a statue outside the Emirates.

Havertz 1st touch Is atrocious, his passing mediocre as well. To play as a number 10 you need a decent 1st touch and have decent passing. Havertz cameo may have looked good, this is same guy who looked like the German lukaku vs spurs. He's been uses as target man before and his link up play is poor. It's also reason he failed as a left 8, as his passing poor.

Havertz as a target man is nowhere near even the level of Giroud. Giroud may have not been good enough to be Arsenal main striker, but he was still a decent finisher. Havertz finishing is nowhere near that level. Once in a blue haverts will score a decent goal, otherwise he's just substandard. Even merino looked half decent as a target man vs villareal.

Last season merino look more composed and more clinical then havertz in front of goal.. it doesn't mean merino should play as 2nd striker either.

Havertz is the guy you wheel out when your playing Burnley, Sunderland, Leeds United. His entire PL career has been one of looking good against bottom half teams. There maybe a decent player in there, but he nowhere near the level needed for Arsenal to win major titles. The fact he's on 270K a week and more than likely has a clause in his contract that he has to play certain number of games (xhaka, bellerin, willian had similar clauses) means most of time Arsenal will have to carry him in the team.

Liverpool won title last season and realised nunez wasn't good enough abd they have sold him. Diaz was fairly decent and he's been sold. Here we are as a club and fan base is wanting havertz to carry being used when he's not good enough.

Arsenal need same ruthless mindset Liverpool and City have. City binned off Jesus for exact same reason, not good enough.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Talking of 2nd strikers, last time we had a 2nd striker performing to a good level was lacazette in the 2018/19 where between Auba and laca they got a G/A of 70 between them that season.

That sort of level a 2nd striker helps you get, laca also scored goals in the big games as well. End up with 19 goals in all competitions that season.

People need to stop with this havertz / merino as 2nd striker. Just because "they are good in air, or physical.

 

[topspin]

He's a proven PL flop over 5 seasons, one goal in a pre-Seaaon game isn't going to change that.

If goals in Emirates Cup were a sign of improvement, then yaya sanago would have a statue outside the Emirates.

Havertz 1st touch Is atrocious, his passing mediocre as well. To play as a number 10 you need a decent 1st touch and have decent passing. Havertz cameo may have looked good, this is same guy who looked like the German lukaku vs spurs. He's been uses as target man before and his link up play is poor. It's also reason he failed as a left 8, as his passing poor.

Havertz as a target man is nowhere near even the level of Giroud. Giroud may have not been good enough to be Arsenal main striker, but he was still a decent finisher. Havertz finishing is nowhere near that level. Once in a blue haverts will score a decent goal, otherwise he's just substandard. Even merino looked half decent as a target man vs villareal.

Last season merino look more composed and more clinical then havertz in front of goal.. it doesn't mean merino should play as 2nd striker either.

Havertz is the guy you wheel out when your playing Burnley, Sunderland, Leeds United. His entire PL career has been one of looking good against bottom half teams. There maybe a decent player in there, but he nowhere near the level needed for Arsenal to win major titles. The fact he's on 270K a week and more than likely has a clause in his contract that he has to play certain number of games (xhaka, bellerin, willian had similar clauses) means most of time Arsenal will have to carry him in the team.

Liverpool won title last season and realised nunez wasn't good enough abd they have sold him. Diaz was fairly decent and he's been sold. Here we are as a club and fan base is wanting havertz to carry being used when he's not good enough.

Arsenal need same ruthless mindset Liverpool and City have. City binned off Jesus for exact same reason, not good enough.

What about the metrics that Kai has been breaking in training? I felt that goal he scored shows how far he's come. Prior to his transformation he was really sluggish.

As things stand with the current squad, there is a case to be made for Havertz to take Odegaard's spot and play just behind Viktor Gyokeres if the captain flops again.