“Arteta is responsible for his own issues. He has a player who’s a complete striker, yet he chose to play Kai Havertz, a midfielder, as his main forward. If he starts using that striker as the focal point, I believe they’ll win the Premier League this season,” said Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, naming one Arsenal player Arteta should prioritize as his main striker over Havertz.

During a recent press conference, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s striker situation, hinting that Mikel Arteta’s tactical choices might be affecting the team’s attacking efficiency.

Guardiola pointed out that despite having a natural striker at his disposal, Arteta continues to deploy Kai Havertz—a player traditionally known as an attacking midfielder—as Arsenal’s primary forward.

“If he decides to use that player as his main striker, I believe Arsenal will have a strong chance of winning the Premier League this season,” Guardiola remarked. However, he did not disclose the specific player he had in mind.

One of the most talked-about performances in recent matches came from Mikel Merino. Though primarily a midfielder, Merino was unexpectedly positioned as a striker during a game against Leicester City due to injuries sidelining key attackers such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Havertz.

He rose to the occasion, scoring twice within 20 minutes to secure a 2-0 victory for Arsenal. His effectiveness in an unfamiliar role has led to speculation about whether he could be a long-term solution to the team’s striker dilemma.

Throughout the season, Arsenal’s lack of a definitive number nine has been a major talking point. Arteta’s frequent use of Havertz in a false nine role has drawn mixed reactions, particularly since Havertz’s natural strengths lie in midfield rather than leading the attacking line. The situation has become even more pressing following Havertz’s season-ending hamstring injury, which has left Arsenal searching for alternatives to fill the striker position.

Reports suggest that Arteta is considering unorthodox solutions, including pushing defenders into attacking roles to compensate for the shortage of available forwards. This demonstrates his willingness to adapt and experiment with different tactical setups to ensure the team remains competitive in the title race.

As Arsenal approaches a crucial period in the season, including an important fixture against West Ham United on Saturday, February 22, 2025, the choices Arteta makes regarding his forward line could significantly impact their chances of securing the Premier League title.

The football world will be closely observing whether Arteta takes Guardiola’s advice into account and makes the necessary adjustments to strengthen Arsenal’s attacking setup.