BREAKING NEWS: “I’ve told Arteta countless times that this particular player is not someone you can depend on to win titles, but he continues to make his own decisions. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s dismissed by January,” said former Chelsea manager Pochettino, criticizing Arteta for relying on one Arsenal player who he believes is costing the Gunners the league title.

Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has openly criticized Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, suggesting that Arteta’s continued reliance on a particular player, Kai Havertz, is compromising the club’s title ambitions.

Pochettino claimed he has repeatedly advised Arteta that Havertz is not the type of player who can be counted on to secure titles, but Arteta has stuck to his choices. Pochettino went as far as to say he wouldn’t be surprised if Arteta faces dismissal by January due to this decision.

Arsenal’s attack has struggled recently, underscoring the need for changes if Arteta wants the team to challenge for the top spot. One proposed adjustment is for Arteta to stop using Havertz in the false nine role. Deploying Havertz as a more traditional striker could pressure opposing defenses more effectively.

However, in recent games, Arsenal’s tactical approach has blurred the lines between the roles of striker and attacking midfielder, especially with Havertz and Leandro Trossard. This strategy, which seems to employ two false nines, has yet to yield the desired results.

Havertz and Trossard often drop back or shift wide, which means they’re not consistently positioned in the penalty area to capitalize on crosses or cutbacks. This movement hinders Arsenal’s ability to stretch the opponent’s defense.

While fans appreciate Havertz’s work rate, his tendency to drift from the goal-scoring positions raises concerns. His performance against Newcastle underscored this issue; despite being active around the field, Havertz wasn’t where he needed to be to maximize his impact as a forward.

Arsenal fans have accepted that Havertz isn’t a typical striker, but they remember that last season there was consensus that he should stay away from midfield. Now, many believe it’s time for Arteta to keep Havertz focused on staying forward and positioned to score.

Unlike teams like Newcastle, who keep Alexander Isak in his natural role, or Aston Villa with Ollie Watkins, Arsenal seems to experiment with Havertz’s position, which may be counterproductive.

The failure to sign a new center-forward over the summer indicates faith in Havertz’s potential. However, with only one goal in the past five games, questions are growing about his effectiveness in the current setup.

If Arteta commits to keeping Havertz in an advanced position, there’s hope his goal-scoring output will improve and help drive Arsenal closer to their title ambitions.