Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could finally give up on Kai Havertz and play Oleksandr Zinchenko in his position.
The Gunners have suffered due to injuries in midfield. Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe are all currently out injured. Odegaard’s injury has affected Arsenal the most. They lost 2 consecutive game in which he didn’t start. His replacement in the starting XI, Kai Havertz, has only been a disappointment.
With a lack of options in midfield, Arteta could turn to Oleksandr Zinchenko to play in midfield.
Havertz’s poor form continues
Havertz has been unable to live up to his expectations in England. He failed to impress in his 3 years at Chelsea following his £71 million move in 2020.
He was developed as a center-forward by the Blues but his highest scoring tally was just 8 goals. Kai scored just 15 goals in 139 appearances for Chelsea. That is quiet disappointing when compared to his 46 goals in 150 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, despite playing in a deeper role.
Many were surprised when Arsenal paid £67.5 million for Kai Havertz in the summer, and he hasn’t done anything yet to prove them wrong. He has managed just one goal and one assist in 18 appearances for Arsenal this season, and that one goal was also a penalty.
Oleksandr Zinchenko could provide depth in midfield
Lately, Arteta has preferred Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back for his defensive abilities over Zinchenko who plays an inverted role. With Zinchenko warming the bench, his abilities are going unutilized.
Zinchenko’s stats are way better that Havertz’s for that playmaking role. The Ukrainian has a higher pass accuracy, more progressive carries, more passes into the final third and more successful take-ons as well.
This could present the manager with the choice to make a bold switch in position for the former City player, with his technical excellence potentially having the strength to open a new door in midfield rather than at the back.
The Ukraine international is no stranger to the playmaking role. He regularly plays as an attacking-midfielder for his country and even played in that position a few times for Manchester City.
For more sports updates, follow us on Twitter.
