Report: Arsenal planning to go into 2024/25 with Kai Havertz as striker

After missing out on priority striker target Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal are reportedly content with having Kai Havertz as their leading man heading into the 2024/25 season.

The start of the new campaign is some time away yet, although the dropping of the 24/25 schedule brought the season just that little bit closer. Contrary to the previous two seasons, Arsenal have an almighty tough start and stability will be key over the first couple of months.

Havertz endured an indifferent start to his Arsenal career having initially been identified as a potential Granit Xhaka replacement. But, the German found a new lease of life working off Gabriel Jesus and then operating as the Gunners' #9 during the second half of the season.

Havertz's stellar run of form down the stretch sparked murmurs of Arsenal deviating their attentions away from signing a new striker this summer, but their interest in Sesko was well-documented. However, with the Slovenian international staying put for the foreseeable, the Gunners' priorities have seemingly shifted.

Arsenal planning to go into 2024/25 with Kai Havertz as striker

Speaking on the Ranks Squad podcast, transfer guru Dean Jones (via @afcstuff) had this to say on Arsenal's striker situation: “I still think that Kai Havertz starts the season as the #9 [for Arsenal], and as far as I understand, [Joshua] Zirkzee has been made aware of that and Sesko had been made aware of that as well.”

“If you’re a forward and that’s where you’re heading, you’d want some guarantee of game time and Arsenal aren’t necessarily giving that to a #9 type striker.”

The other name listed by Jones, Zirkzee, has garnered strong interest from Manchester United.

While Jones' word shouldn't be taken for gospel, more and more reports have suggested the club will instead focus their resources on bolstering their midfield as opposed to forward line this summer. Instead of signing a new striker, Arsenal may look to add a new wideman to push for a starting berth down the left or compete with Bukayo Saka for minutes.

Their midfield priorities are quite unclear, but if they're willing to spend big in the middle of the park, perhaps a deal for Bruno Guimaraes would be feasible. Martin Zubimendi, Joao Neves, and Amadou Onana are the other names currently linked to the club - players with contrasting profiles.

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!