EXCLUSIVE: Alan Smith Names Who Arteta Will Pick Up Front In Havertz’s Absence
Arsenal legend Alan Smith believes Viktor Gyokeres will “get the nod” to play up front in the absence of Kai Havertz.
The German sustained a hamstring injury whilst away with his country and is unlikely to feature against Leeds United.
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Speaking exclusively to Gooner News (courtesy of Best Betting Sites UK), Smith said that manager Mikel Arteta could pick either Gyokeres or Mikel Merino, but he is backing the former to start upcoming games:
“Gyokeres and Merino, they’re good choices, aren’t they really? If Havertz isn’t going to be available, Gyökeres is banging in the goals for Sweden. So he’ll come back to his club bouncing a little bit more than probably when he left, because he was second choice.”
“So he’s been a bit down about that. And he’ll be expecting to get picked after the goals he’s scored. I mean, Mikel Merino’s got some for Spain as well. He’s looking like a class act, and obviously he’s played centre-forward before for Arsenal.”
“So a couple of options there, but you would imagine Gyökeres would get the nod. And if he does, yeah, it’s a good chance just to remind his manager that he can be useful.”
Gyokeres should be in confident mood
As Smith mentions, the 28-year-old has had a very productive international break, having found the back of the net 4 times in 4 appearances for Sweden.
However, the Premier League is a very different proposition to facing the likes of Romania, Poland and Bosnia. He has to show Arteta he is the answer up top.
Arsenal vs Leeds team news
In addition to Havertz, seven other first-team players are fitness doubts heading into the weekend clash versus Leeds.
Declan Rice (hamstring) Ben White (groin), Christian Mosquera (muscular), Max Dowman (knock) and William Saliba (back) were already unavailable before the international break but, as with Havertz, both Ezri Konsa (quad) and Christos Tzolis (hamstring) picked up injuries whilst playing for their countries.