Mikel Arteta addressed the media ahead of Arsenal’s meeting with Newcastle United (Image: Getty)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that he may have to try ‘something different’ up front in order to give a rest.
Havertz has started 21 of ‘s 24 games this season and is already up to 33 matches in all competitions. The German international started his Gunners career as a central midfielder before being moved to the centre-forward role, and he is currently Arteta’s only fit option, with Gabriel Jesus undergoing ACL surgery last month and no strikers signed during the January transfer window.
The manager may therefore have to get creative as he bids to fight on multiple fronts during the run-in. And during his press conference on Tuesday, he cited four wingers who could deputise in a central role.
“We’re going to have to be flexible in the front line,” he explained. “The ones that are available and fit, [we must] make sure they stay fit. Leo [Trossard] can play there, Raheem [Sterling] has played in that position, Ethan [Nwaneri] I think can play there, [Gabriel] Martinelli too.
“At some point we’re going to have to try something different. I think Kai has played so many games and been so important when some big players weren’t available.”
are approaching the end of a busy winter schedule, and they will head on a mid-season break to Dubai after Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against United at St James’ Park. The Gunners must claw back a two-goal deficit if they are to stay in with a chance of winning just their second major piece of silverware under Arteta.
The north London side are still in title contention – albeit six points behind leaders , who have played a game less. And they flew through to the Champions League knockout rounds, saving themselves a taxing two-legged play-off by finishing third in the league phase.
Arteta may have hoped to welcome a new striker during the January transfer window. But their move for Ollie Watkins was knocked back by Aston Villa, and a late approach for Nico Williams was similarly slapped down by Athletic Bilbao.
“We had a clear intention [in the transfer window] and we haven’t achieved it,” said the boss. “We are disappointed, but as well we are very aware that we only wanted to bring certain kinds of players. We have to be very disciplined with that and we were.”
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