Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly made his preference clear regarding the club’s centre-forward position, with Kai Havertz emerging as his first-choice striker ahead of the other attacking options available at the Emirates Stadium.
The German international has continued to attract attention for his intelligence, movement, technical ability and contribution to Arsenal’s attacking system. Arteta has previously praised Havertz’s understanding of the game, his work rate and his ability to improve the performances of the players around him.
Although Arsenal have several options capable of leading the attack, Havertz’s qualities appear to make him particularly suitable for the style of football Arteta wants his team to play.
Note: This article is written as a news-style feature based on the reported selection preference. The specific claim that Arteta has officially declared Havertz his first choice should not be treated as a new direct quotation without independent confirmation.
Arteta’s Preference for Havertz
Mikel Arteta has spent considerable time developing Arsenal into a team capable of competing for major honours in England and Europe. One of the most important decisions in that process has been identifying the right player to lead the attack.
Havertz has increasingly demonstrated that he can fulfil that responsibility. While some strikers concentrate primarily on scoring goals, the German offers additional qualities that can make Arsenal more dangerous in possession.
His ability to drop into midfield, combine with attacking midfielders and create space for wingers gives Arsenal several ways to approach a game. These qualities are particularly important when opponents defend deep and attempt to prevent the Gunners from creating clear opportunities.
Arteta values intelligent movement and tactical discipline, and Havertz has shown that he understands how to operate within the manager’s system.
The striker’s versatility also allows Arsenal to change their attacking approach during matches without necessarily making a substitution.
Why Havertz Fits Arsenal’s System
One of Havertz’s biggest strengths is his ability to connect different areas of the pitch.
Rather than remaining between the opposition’s centre-backs throughout a match, he can move into pockets of space, receive passes and bring teammates into the attack. This movement can create opportunities for Arsenal’s wingers to attack defenders in one-on-one situations.
Bukayo Saka and Arsenal’s other wide players can benefit when Havertz draws defenders away from dangerous areas. His movement can also open spaces for midfielders arriving late in the penalty area.
The German’s physical presence provides another advantage. He can compete for aerial balls, occupy defenders and help Arsenal retain possession when the team needs an outlet under pressure.
These qualities make him different from a traditional penalty-box striker.
Arteta’s football often requires the centre-forward to participate in the build-up while remaining ready to attack the penalty area. Havertz has demonstrated that he can perform both responsibilities.
His tactical intelligence is therefore an important part of the argument for making him Arsenal’s preferred option.
Arteta Believes Havertz Can Score More Goals
Beyond his contribution to the team’s overall play, Havertz has the potential to become an even more productive goalscorer.
Arteta has previously expressed confidence in the forward’s ability to reach a high goalscoring total if he receives a consistent run of matches. In October 2026, reports carried the manager’s belief that Havertz could potentially score between 20 and 30 goals in a season.
That assessment reflects the confidence Arsenal’s manager has placed in his attacking qualities.
Havertz has already demonstrated that he can produce important contributions in the Premier League. However, maintaining consistency over an entire campaign remains essential if he is to establish himself among the division’s most productive forwards.
A settled role at centre-forward could help him develop stronger relationships with Arsenal’s creative players.
Regular appearances would also allow him to improve his understanding of their passing patterns, preferred movements and timing in the final third.
For a striker, these details can make the difference between arriving slightly late to a cross and finding the right position to score.
Arsenal will hope Havertz can translate his technical ability and intelligent movement into a consistent stream of goals.
What This Means for Viktor Gyokeres
If Havertz remains Arteta’s preferred centre-forward, Viktor Gyokeres could face greater competition for a starting position.
The Swedish international arrived with a reputation for his goalscoring ability and physical approach to attacking football. His qualities offer Arsenal a different option, particularly when the team needs direct running, pace and a striker capable of exploiting spaces behind an opposing defence.
However, competition for places is unavoidable at a club with Arsenal’s ambitions.
Gyokeres will need to make the most of his opportunities, whether he starts matches or enters from the bench. Goals, strong performances and effective movement could help him challenge for a more regular role.
Importantly, being second choice in one tactical system does not necessarily mean a player lacks quality.
Different opponents require different solutions. Havertz may be particularly effective when Arsenal need intricate combinations around the penalty area, while Gyokeres could be useful against teams that leave more space behind their defensive line.
Arteta must decide which profile best suits each fixture.
The manager’s challenge will be ensuring that both players understand their responsibilities while maintaining a healthy level of competition within the squad.
Gabriel Jesus Also Faces Competition
Gabriel Jesus is another attacking option who could be affected by Arteta’s decision.
The Brazilian is known for his close control, pressing intensity and ability to combine with teammates in tight spaces. When fully fit, he can offer Arsenal creativity and unpredictability in the final third.
However, competition for the central attacking position means that Jesus must also demonstrate his value whenever opportunities arise.
His experience and technical quality remain useful, but Arteta must consider fitness, match sharpness, tactical suitability and goalscoring output when selecting his starting team.
Having several attacking options gives Arsenal flexibility across a demanding season.
The challenge is finding the right balance between rewarding good performances and maintaining continuity in the starting eleven.
If Havertz continues to impress, the German could remain ahead of his competitors in the manager’s preferred selection.
Arsenal Supporters Will Expect Consistency
Arsenal supporters want to see their team compete for the Premier League title and make a serious challenge for European honours.
For that to happen, the club needs its attacking players to contribute consistently. Strong performances from the midfield and defence are important, but converting chances into goals remains essential.
Havertz’s movement can help Arsenal create opportunities, but his finishing must also be reliable.
The forward will need to make good decisions inside the penalty area, attack crosses aggressively and remain composed when presented with clear chances.
He must also continue contributing when Arsenal are not dominating possession. Against stronger opponents, the striker’s ability to hold the ball and relieve pressure can be just as important as his goals.
Arteta will expect him to combine individual quality with collective responsibility.
The German’s experience in English football could help him handle the pressure associated with leading the line for a club with such high expectations.
Nevertheless, no starting position is guaranteed permanently. Performances, fitness and tactical requirements will continue to influence selection.
Havertz Could Be Central to Arsenal’s Ambitions
Making Havertz the preferred striker would represent a commitment to a forward who offers more than goals alone.
His movement, passing combinations, aerial ability and understanding of space can help Arsenal develop a more varied attack. These attributes could prove particularly valuable during matches in which opponents attempt to limit the influence of Saka and the midfield creators.
The most important factor will be consistency. Havertz must remain fit, perform well against different defensive systems and turn promising positions into meaningful contributions.
If he manages that, Arsenal could benefit from having a settled focal point around whom the attacking unit can develop.
Gyokeres and Jesus will still have opportunities to challenge for the position, but Havertz’s tactical qualities make him a compelling candidate to lead the line.
For Arteta, the ultimate objective is not simply choosing one striker over another. It is building an attack capable of scoring regularly, creating chances and delivering results when the pressure is highest.
Conclusion
Kai Havertz has many of the qualities Mikel Arteta looks for in a centre-forward, and the manager’s previous praise underlines the confidence he has in the German’s intelligence and potential.
If Havertz continues to receive the responsibility of leading Arsenal’s attack, he will have an important opportunity to establish himself as the club’s undisputed first-choice striker.
His performances in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether he can maintain that position and help Arsenal pursue their ambitions in the Premier League and Europe.
