Arsenal have begun the season with Kai Havertz in attack, which has left Viktor Gyokeres on the bench and struggling for minutes under Mikel Arteta
Kai Havertz was on target in Arsenal's win over Chelsea
Kai Havertz was on target in Arsenal's win over Chelsea
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Jamie Carragher insists "Viktor Gyokeres is never taking Kai Havertz's place" after the German scored to help Arsenal keep up their perfect start to the season.
The German, who spent a large chunk of last season out injured, has returned to the fold and proved to be Mikel Arteta's go to man to lead the Arsenal attack. He's started in all three games so far, scoring against Coventry and Chelsea.
Gyokeres meanwhile has endured a difficult start to his second season at the Emirates. The Swede came off to the bench to enjoy his first minutes in the Premier League this term, but is clearly behind Havertz in the pecking order.
Gyokeres was a marquee signing for Arteta last summer but, despite breaking the 20-goal barrier, questions were asked of the striker. Havertz got the nod in last season's Champions League final and his overall influence on the team is seen as a difference maker - which will continue to see him picked ahead of Gyokeres.
Carragher said on Sky Sports: "To displace Havertz out of this team, you need to be one of the best players in the world, it has to be an Ian Wright or Thierry Henry, a guarantee of 30 goals a season.
"Gyokeres is never taking Havertz's place, nor would (Morgan) Rogers, and it is not so much what they give you in attack, more what they give you as a team.
"One of the reasons you cannot break Arsenal down is because of how well they press from the front, but then when the opposition get through that, they all get back behind the ball and Havertz is about 25-30 yards from his goal. You ask a world-class striker to do that.... he will not do that."
Viktor Gyokeres enjoyed his first minutes of the season on Sunday
Viktor Gyokeres enjoyed his first minutes of the season on Sunday
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Arteta was quizzed on Havertz after the Chelsea win, where he underlined the fact that his work, which benefits the team, was a massive plus.
"He looks happy. He looks settled, happy, and some great things have happened in his personal life as well," said the Arsenal boss. "He feels fit, he’s training every day and has this routine right now. He’s scoring goals, but not only that - he’s also doing amazing work for the team."
Arsenal's depth of squad means that certain individuals, who would warrant first-team slots elsewhere, have struggled for minutes. Arteta said: "It’s no question that we have some great players. I believe in them and that they can improve, and they can have another version of themselves that is even better than what we’ve seen."
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