Arsenal can unleash their very own Robin van Persie for Chelsea clash

Arsenal clinched a crucial 1-0 victory over Premier League title rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. The north London outfit netted the winner in the 86th minute thanks to a strike from Gabriel Martinelli, which took a major deflection off City defender Nathan Ake.

Despite their impressive performance at the back, the Gunners struggled going forward. Starting striker Eddie Nketiah failed to take a decent chance in the first half, firing his powerful shot wide when perhaps a more cultured side-footed finish would have been the more sensible option.

Nketiah was replaced by summer signing Kai Havertz in the second half, with the German international enjoying an impressive display in a more advanced role than the one he had previously been occupying earlier this term. Havertz's hold-up play was on full display at the Emirates Stadium as he set up Martinelli’s goal with a deft touch followed by some intelligent shielding with his body.

It is a role that the 24-year-old was deployed in during his time with Chelsea, who Arsenal coincidentally play next. The Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge after the ongoing international break and previous comments from former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel show exactly why he should play up top for Mikel Arteta’s side in a little over a week’s time.

Speaking about his compatriot back in 2022, Tuchel told Premier League Productions: "I see a bit of Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie, [Dimitar] Berbatov kind of player. He can play in the half position because he has good runs, but also feels free from the nine and creates overload to one side.

"When I watched him at Leverkusen, I didn't know that I would coach him, when I watched him at Paris [Saint-Germain], they made him play as a nine which was very interesting. I remember when I watched a cup final against Bayern [Munich] with my staff and said, 'this could be a good role for him'."

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It is high praise indeed for Havertz considering how prolific Robin van Persie was during his time in the Premier League. The Dutchman bagged 59 goals and 20 assists in 81 games during his final two campaigns at the Emirates Stadium before scoring 30 goals and providing a further 15 assists in his first season with Manchester United, numbers that Arsenal fans would love Havertz to reach.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino employs a relatively intense press, meaning utilising Havertz as a No.9 makes a lot of sense, with his aerial presence offering them an outlet if they wish to go long in the build-up phase. The former Leverkusen starlet won 57.2% percentage of his aerial duels last season, as per FBref.

This tally was better than the likes of Harry Maguire, Ivan Toney and Tomas Soucek - who are all known for their imposing aerial ability. With Havertz up top, the Gunners can deploy Martinelli on the left flank and Gabriel Jesus on the right.

The Brazilian duo impressed out wide during the aforementioned win over City, with first-choice right-winger Bukayo Saka currently an injury doubt having missed Sunday’s outing.