The three changes Mikel Arteta can make when Arsenal take on Everton this Saturday in the Premier League
Kai Havertz is in contention to start for Arsenal against Everton in the Premier League(Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
After the draw in midweek in Leverkusen, Arsenal have the chance to get back to winning ways in north London on Saturday. Everton come to the Emirates Stadium in good form having won their last two trips on the road.
Wins over Fulham and Newcastle United will certainly have caught the attention of Mikel Arteta. Despite wins over Tottenham, Chelsea and Brighton, the Gunners only put on a convincing performance in the North London Derby.
There has been a sense of a lack of creativity and threat in the forward line. While Martin Odegaard remains out and Mikel Merino is expected to miss most, if not all, of the remaining games this season, the manager needs a solution.
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That could come in the form of Kai Havertz, who scored against his former side at the BayArena. However, instead of replacing Viktor Gyokeres in the starting lineup, the German can partner with him, a pairing that has seen some success since his return from injury.
This leaves Eberechi Eze’s role in question, but instead, it could be the making of him, moving his position out to the left-hand side. Eze has struggled somewhat centrally and more is needed from the England international.
Moving him to the wide left position limits those responsibilities, while Havertz can offer more threat and press-resistant play. This could be how Arsenal truly unlocks the former Crystal Palace attacker.
Bukayo Saka had a poor performance in Germany and was taken off after just an hour. It showed how Arteta is willing to make the big calls.
Noni Madueke came on and added a lot more to the attack and eventually won the penalty that Havertz would score. This deserves to be rewarded.
In Bruges, Madueke scored twice but found himself on the bench for the subsequent games. The winger has made an impact and is in good form and that needs to be harnessed.
Changed Arsenal XI vs Everton – Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze