Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign this Sunday in a high-stakes clash against Manchester United.
As the curtain-raiser to their season, and following one of the finest transfer windows in recent memory, all eyes will be on Mikel Arteta and how boldly he sets up his side to dismantle United at Old Trafford.
There are one or two selection dilemmas, particularly over who should start ahead of the other. One such debate centres on whether Arteta should hand Viktor Gyökeres his full debut or stick with Kai Havertz and introduce the summer signing from the bench.
Hillier: Start both
Former Gunner David Hillier believes Arteta should not have to choose between the two; he should start both.
Thanks to Havertz’s versatility, Hillier suggests Arteta should deploy him on the left wing.
“This is my little sort of, you know, we’re talking about that left-hand side. I think I’d have Havertz out there. I think he’s looked strong,” Hillier said.
“I think the manager has invested a lot in him, and he’s prepared to go all out and do what the manager says. So he’s one of my players who will be selfless in the game.”
Hillier went on to explain why the tactic could work:
“He won’t mind sitting out on that left-hand side, maybe drifting into the centre-forward position when Gyökeres is out of position. So effectively, you’d have two forwards up the pitch – especially if Calafiori plays inverted and pushes down that left-hand side.”
A chance for reinvention
Havertz, with his pace, technical ability, and adaptability, could offer a genuine threat from the left. With Leandro Trossard injured and Gabriel Martinelli struggling for form in pre-season, the left wing remains a concern for Gooners.
A Havertz experiment would be welcomed; some Gooners have even suggested trying Noni Madueke there, given the lack of faith in other options. Arteta clearly trusts his £65 million man, and this could be the perfect opportunity for the German international to redefine himself and become the left-sided solution Arsenal have long craved.
As for Gyökeres, he could have the perfect chance to hit the ground running. Signed instead of Benjamin Šeško due to his prolific record – 97 goals over the past two seasons – the Swede could open his Arsenal account at the Theatre of Dreams. What a moment that would be.
Your thoughts appreciated in the comments Gooners.
Daniel O
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The hallmark of a good team is balance. It doesn’t matter if you put 11 world class players on the pitch- if it’s not balanced, it won’t work because players need to play in areas in which they are comfortable.
Havertz and Gyokeres can play together but not in the way Hillier suggests. Havertz can play in attacking midfield and Gyokeres at CF but we haven’t seen it yet and this isn’t the game to experiment.
A balanced team needs wingers. We saw Madueke & Martinelli on the left – it worked. We saw Havertz & Gyokeres at CF- they both did their jobs. Play one of each and bring the other on. It really doesn’t make sense to start both.
If it’s 1-1 and you need a late goal, take one midfielder off and have both Kai and Viktor on the pitch. But not at the expense of a winger.
We could spare the LH Side a bit, it hasn’t been productive for a season. Against utd, I think Haverz and Gyokores in tandem, given early balls would/could kill utds defence. And release Saka. But we all know it will be, inside out wingers, Gyokores and lopsided Odergaard as standard.
My preferred line up –
Gyokeres.
Madueke. Odegaard. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Skelly. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
My preferred line up –
Gyokeres.
Martinelli. Odegaard. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Skelly. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
I just think Martinelli grafts defensively, which goes unnoticed
Come on Arsenal 💪❤️🤍
Gyokeres.
Martinelli. Odegaard. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Calafiori. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
My Arteta predicted line up –
Havertz.
Martinelli. Odegaard. Saka.
Rice. Norgaard.
Skelly. Kiwior. Saliba. White.
Raya.
I’m thinking Arteta might want to ease in Gryokeres slowly and show Havertz that he is still important to the team.
Madueke has not had enough pre-season training to start so he might start Martinelli who is used to working hard at the left wing.
Arteta might also like to ease in Zubimendi to the premier league and start with the premier league experienced Norgaard.
Gabriel is just coming back from injury and he might not want to rush him and risk getting him injured again so he might show continuous faith in Kiwior.
Timber is also just coming back from injury and he might start White at right back.
Mate this line up will cost us there points.i know for sure the gaffer with use this.
Mate this lineup will be really expensive & might cost us a lot. Why not start Zubimendi in a high stakes game? Come on now I’d also prefer Calafiori to start over MLS.
Guys you can rest assured Man U will come at us from the get go & silly mistakes will be punished.
Several sources agree with me, that Arteta will start with Havertz, which would be a big mistake. Imagine, Sesko scores a nice brace while Havertz misses some presentable chances. Gyokeres will be introduced when we are chasing the game.
On another subject, it was lovely to see a You Tube short, unfortunately without sound, from Voichek Szczeny with the caption “I’ts happened again, It’s happened again – you know the rest” Once a Gooner, always a Gooner!
It’s a nice idea like said in a previous post but I’m not sure
1. If they are ripe to play together now
2. If this is the appropriate game for such formation.
We leave it to arteta and trust in him
COYG
Ridiculous comment from Hillier saying Calafiori plays inverted ..he played more or less as a normal LB bombing down the left on an overlap … Havertz to my knowledge has not played on the left wing either. So why would he be risked in the opening game at MAN UTD ?!
Starting XI last week will be the starting XI this week….that’s why they were picked last week to start !
Better to pick the team that has the greatest chance of winning the game rather than experiment for the sake of it.
Perhaps they could play together, but there will be other opportunities to test that theory out rather than the opening league match of the most important season for coach and club for some time.
Quite a ridiculous take.
First match of the season away to one of fiercest traditional rivals and the recipe for victory is to ditch everything that works or could possibly work, and perform an experiment that has never been done before.
……..and what’s with the line about Calafiori inverting against Bilbao?
The same match i watched?
Smh.
These people really do overrate themselves.
I don’t think Havertz turns and spins quickly enough for a wide forward. I think you need more agility to play on the wings