Mikel Arteta considers tactical changes in light of Gabriel Jesus injury
![LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, talks with Kai Havertz of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, talks with Kai Havertz of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e6877175713f60afd3126d877d5627a425adf600c75dcfade65ef0aa952cd089.jpg)
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has alluded to a possible change in Kai Havertz’s role in light of Gabriel Jesus’s recent injury.
With Jesus expected to remain on the sidelines for a few weeks due to a hamstring injury, Arteta is reassessing his attacking options in the Brazilian’s absence.
Arteta considers tactical changes in light of Gabriel Jesus injury
With Gabriel Jesus out, Kai Havertz has his chance to shine at nine for #Arsenal. He was brought in to add goals, aeriel prowess and additional presense in the box and he showed his qualities against City and Chelsea; Sheffield United is the perfect game to start him. #ARSSHU pic.twitter.com/ZcyOypOpvb
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) October 28, 2023
Eddie Nketiah has always been the go-to choice when Gabriel Jesus has been unavailable or not fully match-fit. Despite scoring just two goals in nine Premier League appearances, Arteta has voiced his support for Nketiah ahead of Arsenal’s home fixture against Sheffield United on Saturday.
When asked about Nketiah’s progress in his pre-match conference, Arteta said, “What you see where he’s coming from and what he’s done the last three or four years. At a club like Arsenal, to play as a nine, he’s made some huge strides, and it’s merit to him and his mentality.”
Arteta is also considering the possibility of utilising summer signing Kai Havertz, who has previously played as a centre-forward for Chelsea. Havertz started as a striker in Arsenal’s FA Community Shield triumph against Manchester City in August and was instrumental off the bench in the same position when Arsenal defeated Manchester City again earlier this month.
Commenting on the prospect of Havertz as a number nine, Arteta said: “Yes, we have different profiles. For Kai, the minutes that he’s played, he’s been really good. It’s good and it’s difficult for the opponent as well to figure out who will play, and I think that’s a positive for us.”
Arteta can also deploy Leandro Trossard in the centre-forward position. The Belgian had a stint as a striker in the 2-2 draw against Fulham earlier in the season, although he was substituted at halftime due to a somewhat lacklustre display.