Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Arsenal’s dominance in the Premier League over the last 12 months has been there for everyone to see, as Mikel Arteta finally led the Gunners to their first title in over two decades.
His side finally fended off the competition produced by Manchester City and ended their wait to finish top of the pile and hand their supporters memories to last a lifetime.
However, after such success, the fans have been left wanting more and saw the hierarchy spend over £150m on new additions during the recent summer window.
REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Their inability to improve one area of their senior squad has already come back to bite them just a couple of weeks into the new campaign.
What happened to Kai Havertz on international duty?
For the start of the 2026/27 campaign, Arsenal boss Arteta has decided to utilise German attacker Kai Havertz as his starting number nine instead of Viktor Gyokeres.
Such a decision has proved to be the right one from the Spaniard, with the 27-year-old managing to score twice during the first five outings of the new campaign.
Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
However, his excellent form has resulted in a return to the national team setup for the current international break and has seen the forward pick up yet another injury blow.
He had to be replaced in the 30th minute of Thursday’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands and has since returned to England to undergo tests with the Gunners’ medical staff.
Havertz is also set to undergo scans to understand the severity of the recent setback, which could see Arsenal be short for attacking options in the weeks ahead.
Why Havertz's injury blow is bad news for Arteta’s title defence
Throughout the opening stages of the current campaign, Arsenal boss Arteta has mainly opted to utilise Havertz as his main number nine, with Bukayo Saka and Christos Tzolis in wide areas.
The trio have allowed the Gunners to win all but one game so far in this campaign, with the side managing to score three or more on three occasions already in 2026/27.
gabriel-martinelli-arsenal
However, it’s clear that he no longer sees Gyokeres as a key member within his starting eleven, with the Swede failing to start any of his first five games of the league campaign.
His only two starts have come in the Carabao Cup and Champions League, but he’s failed to net in any of the aforementioned encounters - highlighting the lack of trust shown in him by Arteta.
Whilst he netted 14 goals in the Premier League last season, the Swede also came under huge fire back then, with many pundits doubting his long-term ability to star at the top level.
Arsenal-Viktor-Gyokeres
Given his limited chances to impress this campaign, it was vital the attacker took advantage of his cameos, but it’s safe to say he’s been unable to change Arteta’s decision in excluding him this term.
How Arsenal can sign their next Havertz in January
Given the recent selection choices this campaign, it’s clear that Arteta sees Havertz as the perfect man to lead his Arsenal side in the efforts to retain their league title.
However, the German’s continued fitness issues will once again come into question, with his latest setback likely disrupting the progress he’s made in recent months.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks on
The decision not to land another attacking option during the summer window has once again come into question, but the hierarchy can make amends with a deal in January.
Barcelona attacker Dani Olmo has been mooted as a possible option to improve the frontline, with TEAMtalk claiming that talks have already been held with the player’s representatives.
Their report also states that the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been offered deals for the Spaniard who won the World Cup this summer.
It’s unclear how much a deal for the 28-year-old could cost this winter for Andreat Berta and co, but he could add a new level of quality to the Gunners’ senior ranks in their bid to retain their title.
Like Havertz, Olmo is primarily an attacking midfielder but can feature as a false nine in a 4-2-3-1 system and offer a presence in goalscoring or assisting.
He ended the previous campaign in Spain’s top-flight with 15 combined goals and assists, subsequently managing to do so when featuring in a centre-forward role.
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Most combined G+As for Barcelona (2025/26)
Player
Lamine Yamal
Ferran Torres
Raphinha
Robert Lewandowski
Dani Olmo
Marcus Rashford
Fermin Lopez
Pedri
The Spaniard’s stats from the recent season showcase his similarity to Havertz, which could make him the Gunners’ next player to feature in a somewhat out-of-position role.
Olmo has ranked in the top 14% of all attackers in Spain for shots taken this season, whilst also creating 4.2 chances per 90 - the highest of any player at Barcelona this campaign. He is, in the words of Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, a "footballing genius".
Barcelona's Dani Olmo celebrates scoring their third goal with FC Barcelona's Alejandro Balde and FC Barcelona's Marcus Rashford-1
Such numbers demonstrate his excellent ability to either take a shot and find the back of the net alone, or even tee up a teammate in a better position in forward areas.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match