Does Arsenal Have a Striker Problem?

Both Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz are struggling to find the net right now, with the last goal scored between the pair coming seven games ago now. The pair have scored just three goals between them this season in all competitions for Arsenal, all of which have come from Havertz.

After an incredibly strong start to this season, scoring three goals in his first four games in all competitions, Havertz has failed to hit the back of the net since his strike against Chelsea in early September. The German has started every Premier League game for the Gunners this season, playing the full 90 minutes four times in those seven games.

Gyökeres, however, has struggled as a whole so far this season. After scoring 21 goals in all competitions for Arsenal in his debut campaign, the Swede has failed to open his account this season. However, the striker was very prolific for Sweden in the September international break, scoring four goals in four games as Sweden lead their Nations League group.

Mikel Arteta has shared the minutes between the two by giving Havertz the nod from the start in the league, whilst Gyökeres has started both Champions League games as well as Arsenal’s first Carabao Cup game of the season.

Both players have often been criticised during their Arsenal careers. Gyökeres’ untidy technical play and struggles to hold the ball up have meant he has often faced criticism. Meanwhile, Havertz’ big-profile misses have also led to some questioning whether he’s good enough to lead the line for Arsenal.

Havertz’ best goalscoring season came in the 2024/25 season, when he scored 15 goals in all competitions in just 36 games in all competitions for Arsenal. He missed large portions of last season due to injuries, which meant he only scored seven goals in 24 games.

The lack of goalscoring output from Havertz has raised concerns amongst the fanbase. Despite his other great qualities, like bringing others into play, physical presence and his ability to combine with teammates, a striker will always be judged on goals.

When Arteta was asked before the Nottingham Forest game whether Havertz could improve his numbers and be a 25-30 goal a season striker, he said: “He has, I think he has (the ability to score 25 goals a season). That’s why he’s playing there as well, that’s why we signed him. I think he has it, and he needs that volume of games and action. If you give him that, I am a big believer that he can do that.”

In regard to Gyökeres’ struggles to break into the starting eleven this season, Arteta said: “I think what he transmits is an incredible will and determination and work rate to improve and help the team. That’s it. And that’s Viktor every single day, regardless of his position, whether he scores a goal or not. And that’s why he’s always an option to play.”

It’s clear who Arteta’s first choice is, but with the current form Havertz finds himself in, it may be time to try something new, whether that be giving Gyökeres a real run in the side or potentially Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker.

Arsenal also held a strong interest in Julián Alvarez in the summer and are reported to be keen on bringing Bournemouth’s Eli Kroupi Junior to the club, either in the January window or next summer. Centre-forward was a position Arsenal wanted to refresh in the summer. They didn’t do that, but there is potential to address that position in future windows.

Personally, I feel that the striker position is a position that needs revamping slightly. With the exit of Gabriel Jesus in the summer, Arsenal lost their only true ‘false nine’ profile and failed to replace him. Bringing in a versatile attacker such as Kroupi would give Arsenal’s attack a new dimension and offer better competition to Havertz in the starting eleven.

For now, it’s definitely an issue that Arteta needs to address. Arsenal can’t continue to go on with their strikers failing to score in games. As valuable as the other skills that Havertz brings to the team are, we need to see him find the back of the net more often and get closer to what we saw in the first four games of the season.