Manchester United legend Gary Neville has now compared Kai Havertz to one of his Arsenal teammates. 

Kai Havertz did not lead the line for Arsenal against Aston Villa on Sunday. 

Havertz has shone as a striker for Arsenal recent weeks. Despite this, Mikel Arteta opted to shift the German back into the midfield trio for the visit of Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium in order to make room for Gabriel Jesus up front. 

It is fair to say that this tactical ploy backfired on the Spanish coach. As his side slumped to a 2-0 defeat agains the Midlands outfit, Jesus infuriated Arsenal fans with his wasteful display. 

The Brazilian striker really ought to have put the hosts 1-0 up in the first half when he connected with a Bukayo Saka cross at the far post. However, he could only direct his header into the side-netting.

Jesus failed to show Arteta that he can be the main man for Arsenal up front, and his profligacy cost them.

Gary Neville wades in on Gabriel Jesus v Kai Havertz debate

Gary Neville is convinced that Havertz ought to have kept his place as the focal point of the Gunners’ attack. Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, whilst he admitted that he admires Jesus, the pundit stated, “I love Jesus as a player, I absolutely love him. For me, I think of that sort of energy that he brings, that high press, that sort of endeavour. I love that in strikers…[with Kai Havertz up front] there’s more precision. There’s more, sort of, certainty. I just felt that’s what Arsenal lacked in that first half. That precision and certainty. They were imperfect in that final bit.”

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If Arsenal are to stand any chance of winning the Premier League title this season, they will need to be far more clinical than they were against Aston Villa. It is vital that they take their chances in upcoming fixtures.

Do Arsenal need a new striker?

Even though Havertz isn’t the most prolific forward in the world, the way he holds up play and brings those around him into the game by occupying opposition defenders makes Arsenal a more potent attacking force overall.

Beyond this season, though, there is a strong argument that the Gunners are in dire need of a new, elite-level goalscorer. Arsenal have been linked with a host of strikers ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

Jesus’ performance against Aston Villa lent significant weight to the theory that the lack of such a player is currently a huge issue within Arteta’s squad.