Mikel Arteta says he is open to using Kai Havertz as a striker this season following an injury to Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus is set to miss the first “few weeks” of the new campaign after undergoing surgery for a knee injury, meaning Eddie Nketiah could be set to deputise for the Brazilian starting with the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday.
Havertz is also an opition for Arteta to play as a central striker, having played there for Chelsea during the majority of his time at the club – including last season.
And the Arsenal boss did not rule out the possibility of doing so.
“He’s playing the majority at the moment as an attacking midfielder on the left,” Arteta said.
“But he can play on the right, he’s played as a winger coming inside, as a nine, as a false nine.
“So we will see, we are seeing a lot of things. The team gives you a lot of information every day, and some connections and some relationships, you didn’t expect, and you think ‘look what is happening there’.
“It’s natural. We have to have our eyes open to that and not just close the door to something because sometimes it’s not the best thing to do.”
City pipped Arsenal to the Premier League title by five points last season despite the Gunners having led the way for much of the season, and Arteta says he is relishing coming up against his former colleague Pep Guardiola once again.
“We’re very excited to play a final and have the opportunity to win a trophy,” Arteta said.
“We’re playing the team that is the team to beat. They’re the best team in Europe last season so we know what the standards are and what we’re going to need to win.”
