A Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz partnership could be just what Arsenal need

As Arsenal beat Kairat 3-2 in the Champions League, one of the biggest talking points was how well Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz played together, and that could be a sign of things to come for their side.

The pair both started the victory and instantly linked up when Havertz assisted Gyökeres after just two minutes before he himself got on the scoresheet. They were both then involved once again for their side's third.

While most expected the pair would rotate in and out of the starting lineup when both fit, it now seems as if they have formed a partnership that would be key for the Gunners' hopes this season.

A Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz partnership could be just what Arsenal need

When Arsenal signed Gyökeres from Sporting in the summer, many felt he would be the starting striker with Havertz acting as his deputy. However, an injury suffered in the season-opening win at Manchester United saw the German ruled out of action for a significant amount of time.

The Swede acted alone in that period with Mikel Merino coming in on occasion to fill in up front, but it was mostly Gyökeres who had to do the work leading the line. He struggled to do so though with his inconsistent form leading to discussions whether he would be displaced once Havertz made his return from injury.

The Gunners' number 29 made his long-awaited comeback off the bench in a 4-1 FA Cup win at Portsmouth earlier this month and most of the talk suggested he would come into the side as the starting striker once back to full fitness.

He has still been nursing his issue with Mikel Arteta wary of rushing him back into action, prompting his first start to wait until Wednesday's Champions League dead rubber clash with Kairat.

His favoured position since joining Arsenal has been at striker, but he was deployed in a creative midfield role for the clash with the Kazakhstani champions, with Gyökeres leading the line.

Fears of a potential clash were wiped out almost immediately when Havertz made an instant impact as he played his striker through on goal for him to score the opening goal.

He then got among the goals himself when he picked up a long ball by Ben White to drift inside and fire an effort into the back of the net. Space opened up for him as a result of Gyökeres using his physicality to drag a defender out of position.

The pair linked up one final time when Havertz played a ball across goal for the Swede to touch onto Gabriel Martinelli for the third before the German was brought off at half-time.

45 minutes was only a brief look at how well Gyökeres and Havertz link up, but there is certainly something in it. One of the Sweden international's biggest problems since joining the Gunners has been the lack of creativity coming his way, forcing him to often drop deep and get involved in build-up play.

Arteta should certainly consider trialling playing the duo together, even if it means deploying Havertz in a midfield, because their newly formed partnership could be key for Arsenal's title hopes.