Viktor Gyokeres receives brutal Arsenal transfer message

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Jamie Carragher has told Viktor Gyokeres that he will “never” replace Kai Havertz in Arsenal’s preferred starting XI if the Germany international’s current form continues.

Havertz, 27, scored his third goal in just four games so far this season during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, while his immaculate dummy created the opportunity for Martin Odegaard to net the eventual winner early in the second-half.

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Kai Havertz

F, M (C)

Arsenal

Kai Havertz

F, M (C)

Arsenal

€44.3M

ETV Range

€39.8M - €48.7M

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The former Chelsea forward has been much-maligned throughout his career in the Premier League, but he has established himself as Mikel Arteta’s favoured centre forward at the start of the new season, and he looks set for an immense campaign at the Emirates Stadium.

Havertz has netted nine goals in his last 11 competitive starts for club and country, dating back to mid-April, and while he was previously criticised for his lack of end product, he is finally delivering on that front.

The Germany attacker also boasts an exceptional all-round skillset and, as a result of his imperious form at the top of the pitch, Gyokeres has played just 27 minutes across Arsenal’s first four matches of the new season.

Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez during the summer transfer window, however they were ultimately unable to convince him to return to England, which has presented Havertz with the opportunity to cement his place as Arteta’s preferred centre forward.

Gyokeres, meanwhile, has been demoted to second-choice and Carragher believes that Havertz will retain his place in Arsenal’s best XI for the foreseeable future.

Jamie Carragher heaps praise on Kai Havertz

“To displace Havertz out this team, you’re talking about one of the best players in the world, that’s what you have to get,” Carragher told Sky Sports after Arsenal’s win over Chelsea on Sunday.

“t has to be an Ian Wright, guaranteed 30 goals a season, Thierry Henry. Gyokeres is never taking Havertz’s place. Ever. Morgan Rogers I’m not sure [would have], as well.”

Carragher continued: “It’s not about how good they are just in attack, it’s what they give you for the team. One of the reasons why you can’t break Arsenal down as a team is how well they press from the front.

“But then when the opposition get through that, they all get behind the ball, and Havertz is about 25, 30 yards from his goal. You go and ask a world-class striker to do that, a guy who’s obsessed with his numbers and his goals to come back and do that, he won’t do that.

“When you see Havertz, what he does in terms of both boxes, set-piece wise as well. Havertz is more of a facilitator, he’s not a great goalscorer, can [Bukayo] Saka or the wide players get more goals the way [Mohamed] Salah and [Sadio] Mane used to with Bobby Firmino in that position.

“They’re not both great goalscorers, but they bring an awful lot to the team. And this idea that you’ve got to bring someone in who’s like, amazing, yes, I’m the one who’s said consistently, they haven’t got one of the best players in the world in the front four.

“But you better get someone at that level, at that unbelievable level, to take Havertz out of that team.”

He added: “Mikel Arteta, the type of manager that he is, taking Havertz out of that team and what he does for that team defensively, we talk about how strong they are defensively, no-one can get a shot on target, it’s not just the goalkeeper and the back four, that’s the whole team.

“So he’d be giving up on, actually, some of his team’s defensive solidity, to add a little bit more in the attack, that’s the decision every manager has to take.”

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