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Mikel Arteta has been urged to replace Kai Havertz despite his impressive form for Arsenal and bring in Premier League forward Alexander Isak.
Havertz has recovered from a sluggish start to his Arsenal career to develop into a key member of Arteta’s squad, scoring 20 goals in 61 appearances for the Gunners.
The 25-year-old has thrived as a false number nine this season, bagging four goals in seven league games to help title-chasing Arsenal make an impressive start to the 2024-25 campaign.
This is Havertz’s fifth season in the Premier League following his three-year spell at Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea.
Despite lifting the Champions League trophy at Stamford Bridge and scoring the winner in the final against Manchester City, Havertz flattered to deceive for Chelsea before taking his game to another level since arriving in north London.
Ex-Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant admits he has been surprised by Havertz’s form for the Gunners but remains unconvinced that the German is a long-term ‘solution’ for a club who have aspirations of winning both the Premier League and Champions League.
Instead, Pennant believes Newcastle United star Isak would be the ‘perfect’ addition for Arsenal.
Isak, 25, has scored 36 goals in 73 appearances since arriving at St James’ Park in 2022, with 21 of those coming in the Premier League last season.
Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with a move for Isak over the last 18 months and are keeping an eye on developments as talks over a new Newcastle deal for the Sweden international have stalled.
‘It’s an interesting debate,’ Pennant told Safest Casino Sites when asked if he believed Havertz was capable of leading the line for Arsenal for years to come.
‘I’ll hold my hands up and say I was one of the people who didn’t think Havertz was up to the task when he first signed, but he’s found a new position and style of play under Mikel Arteta and has become a vital focal point up front for Arsenal this season.
‘Is he the answer to Arsenal’s striker problems? At the moment you might say yes, but in the long-term, I’d say Alexander Isak is the solution for the club.
‘If Arsenal can sign Isak from Newcastle as their number nine, that would be a perfect fit for all parties – even more so than Havertz.
‘If the club want a long-term project and vision, he’d be an absolutely blinding fit.’
Another player who has impressed for Arsenal this season is summer signing Riccardo Calafiori.
The 22-year-old Italian has featured in five of Arsenal’s seven games, helping Arteta’s side boast the joint-second best defensive record in the Premier League.
Pennant says Calafiori has been ‘really impressive’ since his arrival from Bologna, even comparing the £42m signing to legendary AC Milan and Italy defender Paolo Maldini.
‘I can definitely see the similarities between Riccardo Calafiori and Paolo Maldini,’ Pennant added. ‘They’re both aggressive, enforcing defenders, and both have the long locks too!
‘At the same time, both of them love getting forward and are good on the ball, so you can see the similarities between the pair and understand why people are reminded of him.
‘When you watch Calafiori play, he’s so difficult to get past – he’s a very good defender and has been really impressive since joining the club.
‘That goal against Manchester City at the Etihad was simply special too. If I’m looking at the current crop of Italian players, I’d probably say Calafiori stands out as the “new Maldini!’
Arsenal, currently third in the Premier League, return to action on Saturday against Bournemouth, who have taken eight points from their opening seven games of the season.
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