Arteta backs Havertz ahead of Forest match
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is a big believer that Kai Havertz can become a 30 goal a season striker for the team. Havertz is set to lead the attack against Nottingham Forest on Sunday as he continues to be picked ahead of Viktor Gyökeres.
The 27 year old German joined Arsenal from Chelsea in 2023. He scored 14 goals in his first season at the Emirates Stadium and 15 in the next. A hamstring injury ruled him out for the final four months of that campaign. Knee and hamstring problems then limited him to 24 appearances and seven goals last season.
Goal drought does not worry manager
Havertz has started all of Arsenal's league matches this season, scoring twice in the opening three games for the Premier League champions. However, he has not scored in his last five appearances.
Arteta remains confident in his forward. He said Havertz has the ability and top mentality to reach high goal counts if given enough games. Arteta added that the striker has a special football IQ and breaks down information faster than almost anyone else in the squad.
Gyökeres struggles for form
Viktor Gyökeres is also struggling to find the net. The Sweden international scored 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting Lisbon and netted 21 times during his debut season with Arsenal.
He has failed to score in seven games this term. He made his third start of the season against Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday night but was taken off in the second half. Arteta said Gyökeres shows great work rate and determination every day, adding that small margins change the story for forwards.
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