Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres are going head to head in the eyes of Mikel Arteta for the starting spot in Arsenal’s team for the UEFA Champions League final
It took many by surprise when the line-ups were released ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Burnley. The striker position has been all-but-decided every single game this season, with Viktor Gyokeres the dominant force outside of a minor injury and a mini purple patch for Gabriel Jesus in the winter.
However, it was Kai Havertz selected to start against the Clarets on Monday night and the German popped up with the goal that might indeed be the decisive Arsenal strike, which sees them lift the Premier League title should Manchester City slip up at Bournemouth.
Gyokeres did come off the bench to great applause and had supporters off their seats after putting in an almighty shift, winning duels and helping to see out victory. It leaves many questioning, however, whether Mikel Arteta was testing out his potential UEFA Champions League final line-up.
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Havertz has been lauded by Arteta throughout his tenure with the club and had he not got injured on the opening day of the season, after already having suffered some fitness issues in the summer, it might have been a very different season for Gyokeres. Yet after scoring 21 goals, the former Sporting CP frontman has done more than enough to justify his place.
So why start Havertz against Burnley? The answer is relatively simple.
The Clarets have operated mainly with a lower defensive block this season, until Mike Jackson took over, however. And they offered plenty of impetus to attack the Gunners, which caught Arsenal off guard on occasion.
However, it was clear that the impact of a more technical false nine, like Havertz, was producing some silky football, particularly in the first half. Arteta described it as some of their best football all season.
However, against PSG in the final, Arsenal are unlikely to have the bulk of possession, and there will potentially be plenty of threat in behind to take advantage of the spaces – just as the Swede did so successfully against Atletico Madrid.
It therefore looks as though Gyokeres would indeed be the better pick for the final despite, of course, Havertz being one of a select number of players to have scored a Champions League winning goal. It could be his impact comes later in the game, just like against West Ham.
