Mikel Arteta's Arsenal picked up a resounding 4-1 victory over Championship side Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon thanks to Gabriel Martinelli's first-ever senior hat-trick, but it also marked the return of Kai Havertz, who played his first minutes in Gunners colours for the first time since August.
The away contingent at Fratton Park stood and applauded the German, who has been out since their Premier League curtain-raiser against Manchester United with a knee injury, as he replaced Gabriel Jesus at the sharp end of the pitch in the 69th minute.
Straight away, given the concerns over Viktor Gyokeres' ability to adapt to English top flight football, Havertz proved why so many Arsenal fans have been ruing for his return to the grass. Arteta and his staff now have a potentially season-defining decision to make and fans have made their feelings very clear.
Is it Time to Drop Gyokeres and Start Havertz Up Top?
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz puts a finger on his lips
Simply, yes. Gyokeres – signed in the summer from Sporting CP – has struggled to hit the ground running in north London, plundering seven goals in 24 appearances across all competitions. Five of those (against Leeds United, Burnley and Everton) have come in the Premier League.
The Swede's torrid run of form has been highlighted by The Telegraph, who have analysed the performance levels of all 33 strikers to have played at least 500 minutes in the Premier League. He ranks 33rd for possession loss rate, 31st for passes completed, 30th for duel success and 28th for aerial duels won. Havertz provides much, much more.
Energetic from the off, Havertz enjoyed 11 touches – five of those coming inside the Portsmouth 18-yard box – and took two shots, proving that he is able to threaten in the final third, an aspect that Gyokeres is yet to master on a consistent basis.
The 26-year-old, who has played 89 times for Arsenal since his move in the summer of 2023, also won 100% of his aerial duels in the short time he was on the pitch.
Not only did he fare well from a statistical point of view, but he also passed the eye test. A brilliant runner, Havertz was willing to press Pompey's backline and his off-ball movement opened up space and opportunities for those around him.
Moving forwards, it would be wise for Arteta to start the one-time Champions League winner ahead of Gyokeres and Jesus – only, of course, when he is back to full fitness.
Kai Havertz – Arsenal Statistics
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Arsenal, who have finished second in back-to-back-to-back campaigns, will require Havertz's firepower and clever movement in the remaining months of the season and so easing him back into proceedings would be wise.
As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder and that is exactly the case between the Emirates Stadium faithful and their returning forward, who is one of the highest-paid Premier League players with him earning £280,000 in the capital. On the Germany international, Arteta said in his full-time interview with TNT Sports:
"His awareness, when he needs to move. Where he needs to move. We miss him big time. It's a pleasure to watch him.”
Kai Havertz Returns: How Have Arsenal Fans Reacted to his Performance?
Arsenal's Kai Havertz
As mentioned, those inside the stadium showed their love and adoration for the ex-Chelsea man when he entered the fray with 21 minutes left of regulation time – and the response online has been awfully similar. After his instant impact (a key pass), one wrote: "Kai Havertz chance created with his second touch already."
"KAI HAVERTZ KEY PASS 3 MINUTES IN," another wrote before one suggested that Havertz could play in the pocket behind Gyokeres moving forward. They commented: "That pass from Kai Havertz... Now imagine he is playing behind Gyokeres... Wow a partnership."
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Others, however, believe that he offers much more than the Swede. "Just look at how Kai Havertz plays. He has had more touches already than Gyokeres in the last game," they wrote.
"Kai Havertz has just done something within 2 minutes of being on after being out for 5 months that Viktor Gyokeres just hasn’t got in his locker."
"Ahhhh man, Kai Havertz welcomed back already. Transformed how we look offensively in seconds. Class act," a sixth supporter of Arsenal added, as another wrote: "Ladies and gentlemen, Kai Havertz is backkkkk. Did you see the pass to Madueke?" A final fan kept it short and sweet by saying: "Kai Havertz has changed my life."
All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 11/01/2026