Arsenal: Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres leave Mikel Arteta relishing 'good' selection headache | OneFootball

Arsenal: Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres leave Mikel Arteta relishing 'good' selection headache | OneFootball

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Evening Standard

·9 August 2025

Arsenal: Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres leave Mikel Arteta relishing 'good' selection headache

Article image:Arsenal: Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres leave Mikel Arteta relishing 'good' selection headache

Both strikers were on target as Arsenal cruised to victory over Athletic Club

Article image:Arsenal: Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres leave Mikel Arteta relishing 'good' selection headache

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Mikel Arteta is relishing the selection headache of having to choose between Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres - but added the pair could play together.

Gyokeres was signed by Arsenal this summer from Sporting, as part of a deal worth £64million, to bolster the Gunners’ attack.

The Swede will be direct competition for Havertz, who was Arsenal’s No9 last season, and Arteta believes it is a “good problem” to have.

“They can play together,” said Arteta. “Kai can play in different positions, as well.

“I think it elevates the quality in the squad, the goal threat that we have in the team, the options that we have to change and provide oppositions with a lot of problems.

“It is great to see both of them scoring, both of them in such good form and it’s a good problem to have.”

Article image:Arsenal: Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres leave Mikel Arteta relishing 'good' selection headache

Kai Havertz climbed off the bench to score Arsenal’s third goal against Athletic Club

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Gyokeres’ goal was his first since moving to Arsenal and the 27-year-old took it well, emphatically heading home a cross from Martin Zubimendi.

It capped off an impressive showing from Gyokeres, who had another header in the second half tipped onto the post.

“That’s his nature,” said Arteta, when asked about the Swede’s hunger to score goals.

“I think everything that he does - his movement, the way he times his runs, the way he predicts the next move, where the space can be and where the ball is going to land, that’s the instinct that he has.

I think it elevates the quality in the squad, the goal threat that we have in the team, the options that we have to change and provide oppositions with a lot of problems

Mikel Arteta

“That’s why he's scored so many goals in the last few seasons, so that’s not a coincidence, it’s his ability and he’s constantly looking for it.

“I think he pins both centre-backs. He’s a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he’s going to destroy you.

“So he’s going to create a lot of space as well for us and there is the moment that, in any situation, there is a player there that can score a goal.”

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