Arsenal
Havertz Returns but Arsenal’s Finishing Problems Remain Clear
Arteta hailed Havertz’s return as transformative, but Arsenal’s finishing and chance creation remain.
Mikel Arteta declared Kai Havertz’s return would take his team to “another level,” yet the recent evidence underlines long-standing limitations in Arsenal’s forward options. Havertz played a part in all three goals against the side that finished bottom of the Champions League league phase. Paired with Viktor Gyökeres, who opened the scoring and missed a hatful of chances, Arsenal’s languid left-footer also scored on his first start in 357 days in a 3–2 win that completed a perfect league phase record.
That victory helped dissipate the anxiety caused by Arsenal’s three-game winless run in the Premier League. Still, the notion that one returning player who was central to the club’s last two failed title bids can miraculously resolve the campaign was promoted too readily, and Arteta was foremost among those offering that narrative.
This is striking given his stance a year earlier when Havertz suffered online abuse after an FA Cup exit to Manchester United. “There is no other industry like this,” the Arsenal manager lamented. “Where is the perspective?”
Finishing has not been Havertz’s prime attribute. Since signing for Chelsea as the club’s record buy in 2020, he has scored 41 Premier League goals while UnderStat suggests the quality and quantity of his chances would have expected around 55. That degree of under-performance is mirrored elsewhere in Arsenal’s forward ranks. Gabriel Jesus has 77 Premier League goals but could have as many as 104 given his chances. Both Havertz and Jesus have been prodigiously un-prolific relative to their expected returns.
Viktor Gyökeres’s wastefulness was also on display: Opta recorded him as squandering four “big chances” in 77 minutes in that match. Arsenal’s broader problem is creating clear sights of goal from open play rather than only the act of finishing. Last season Havertz averaged fewer key passes than eight teammates, including makeshift centre forward Mikel Merino.
There is still a debate over Havertz’s ideal position. “I was getting annoyed with people asking me this,” he smiled through gritted teeth during his final season at Chelsea . “I can say I’m not a typical No. 9.” Arteta has used him in midfield alongside Eberechi Eze with Christian Nørgaard anchoring against Kairat. With Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi staples in major matches, the attacking slot beside Martin Ødegaard is the space Havertz is most likely to occupy. His best displays have come as a dual-false nine that has previously unsettled Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool by luring Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté out of position before running in behind.
Arsenal
Arteta clarifies Saka absence as Madueke steps into Cup spotlight
Arteta: Saka had a warm-up niggle; Madueke responded when called, with Chelsea tie on Tuesday. Read.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka was withdrawn from the squad for Saturday’s win over Leeds United after picking up “a little niggle” in the warm-up. The injury was the only notable setback on a positive day for Arsenal ahead of the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
“He wasn’t comfortable to start the game, so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni in,” Arteta said, explaining the decision to replace Saka before kick-off.
Squad depth on the right flank was a specific objective for the club during the summer transfer window. Arteta has been open about his intention to assemble multiple high-quality options in every position, and securing a reliable deputy for Saka was part of that plan.
Arsenal agreed a package worth as much as £52 million ($71.4 million) to sign Madueke from Chelsea, and circumstances provided an early opportunity when Saka was sidelined earlier in the season. While the headline goal-and-assist figures have not matched expectations, Madueke has “undoubtedly passed the eye test this season,” contributing when called upon.
Arteta praised the new arrival for his attitude and preparation. “The way he prepares, the way he’s waiting for opportunity, I think he paid off today because he really impacted the team,” the manager said, highlighting Madueke’s readiness to fill the role.
On the collective task, Arteta added: “We talked before the game, it’s going to be a long game, we’re going to have to navigate through different moments in the game, and we’re going to need everybody fulfilling the role that they have on the day, and I think the players executed that incredibly well.”
Madueke is the leading candidate to occupy the right wing when Arsenal face his former club on Tuesday, though Arteta’s squad contains several possible options for the position.
Arsenal
Clinical Arsenal Cruise to 4-0 at Leeds as Madueke Seizes Late Call-Up
Arsenal recovered from the United loss with a 4-0 victory at Leeds, Zubimendi opened scoring today.
Arsenal responded to last week’s defeat to Manchester United with a 4-0 win away at Leeds United. The Gunners controlled the match from the outset, Martín Zubimendi opening the scoring with a smart header before a corner from Noni Madueke produced an own goal shortly after. Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Jesus both netted in the final 20 minutes to make the scoreline emphatic.
Noni Madueke, thrown into the starting lineup moments before kick-off, made an immediate impact. His cross created Zubimendi’s opener and his corner caused the own goal by Karl Darlow. That decisive delivery underlined why Mikel Arteta sought to add the former Chelsea man to his squad.
At the back Gabriel led a physical performance, notably handling Dominic Calvert-Lewin with authority and topping the successful duels for Arsenal. Declan Rice kept the midfield ticking with a steady stream of passes and defensive work. Martín Zubimendi shielded the defence and recycled possession efficiently, earning the match’s highest rating.
Bukayo Saka had been set to start but an injury in the warm-up forced him out of contention, leaving Arsenal to await clarity on the severity of his problem. Madueke’s display further complicates selection decisions on the right flank.
Key player notes and ratings from the match: Martín Zubimendi 8.2, Gabriel Jesus 7.6, Gabriel 7.5, Noni Madueke 7.5, Declan Rice 7.6. Substitutions included Gabriel Martinelli (61′ for Madueke), Martin Ødegaard (61′ for Kai Havertz), Riccardo Calafiori (76′ for Piero Hincapié), Gabriel Jesus (76′ for Viktor Gyökeres) and Eberechi Eze (81′ for Leandro Trossard). Unused subs were Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Nørgaard.
Match statistics underlined Arsenal’s control: possession 51% to 49%, expected goals 2.39 to 0.15, total shots 14 to 3 and shots on target 8 to 1. Arsenal created seven big chances to Leeds’s nil and both sides finished with 79% passing accuracy.
Arsenal
Arsenal make late switch as Bukayo Saka withdraws ahead of Leeds tie
Saka withdrew from Arsenal’s starting XI at Elland Road after he “felt something” in the warm-up…
Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, were forced into a last-minute change to their starting line-up on Saturday when Bukayo Saka withdrew before the match at Elland Road.
Saka had travelled to Leeds and was given the nod on the right wing, with plans for him to wear the captain’s armband and resume his usual role on Arteta’s right wing. Those plans changed in the pre-match moments when the winger registered an issue while warming up.
The club confirmed Saka “felt something” while preparing for the game at Elland Road. The team did not disclose any further specifics about the problem, but it was sufficient for the England international to be deemed unavailable for selection.
The absence arrived at short notice and produced a late alteration to the XI, with Saka replaced in the team sheet just minutes before the final whistle. Arsenal made the call after the issue presented itself during the warm-up, and the club determined the player could not take part.
That decision removed an influential figure from the side for a fixture in which Arsenal arrived as league leaders. The club offered no further detail on the nature of the injury, only that the matter prevented Saka from featuring on Saturday afternoon.
The late withdrawal underlines how quickly pre-match circumstances can force tactical and personnel changes. Arsenal moved to adjust their selection immediately after the issue emerged during preparations at Elland Road, leaving supporters and staff to await further updates on the player’s condition.
