Arteta Teases Arsenal Fans With Havertz–Gyökeres Link-Up Dream

Arsenal fans could be in for a mouth-watering attacking partnership this season, as Mikel Arteta has hinted that new signing Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz can share the pitch.

The Gunners splashed out this summer to bring Gyökeres from Sporting CP, a move that immediately sparked debate over whether he would replace Havertz, who has been leading the line for the past two seasons.

But if pre-season is anything to go by, Arteta may have different plans. The Swede started in the last two friendlies against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao, with Havertz coming on in the latter. Both got on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s 3–0 Emirates Cup victory over Bilbao on Saturday, sending a clear message that competition — and perhaps collaboration — could be the key to Arsenal’s title push.

“They can play together,” Arteta confirmed with a smile. “It elevates the quality in the squad, the goal threat in the team, and the options we have to cause opposition a lot of problems. It’s a good problem to have.”

Opinion:
If Arsenal do make this partnership work, it could be one of the most dangerous attacking duos in the Premier League. Gyökeres brings raw physicality and relentless pressing, while Havertz offers intelligent movement and link-up play. Together, they could stretch defences and create the kind of unpredictability Arsenal have sometimes lacked in big games.

Arteta has often been accused of being too rigid with his attacking set-up — but this pairing hints at a more flexible, aggressive Arsenal. For a team looking to dethrone Manchester City, having “two No. 9s” who can interchange, press, and score could be the secret weapon fans have been waiting for.