The Big Picture

Mikel Arteta has made his choice at the top of Arsenal's attack. Kai Havertz owns the central striker role, leaving marquee signing Viktor Gyokeres watching from the bench despite his impressive goal return last term. Arsenal's perfect start to the 2026/27 Premier League season has silenced critics, but the tactical battle between pure finishing and team workload remains North London's biggest talking point.

The Selection Battles: Ranks 10 to 6

10. Gyokeres Takes the Pitch vs Chelsea for First Minutes of 2026/27

Viktor Gyokeres finally stepped onto the pitch on Sunday against Chelsea, marking his first Premier League action of the young season. Coming off the bench late in the second half, the Swedish international spent his short cameo chasing long clearances rather than spearheading central attacks.

This moment opens our list at number 10 because it encapsulates Gyokeres' reality. He is an expensive backup option rather than the centerpiece of Arteta's offense. While he offers raw power late in matches, this entry ranks lowest because it represents a clear drop from his starting role last year.

9. Havertz Returns from Injury to Reclaim the Starting Spot

Kai Havertz missed a large chunk of last season due to injury, opening the door for rival attackers to state their case. Yet his immediate reinstatement into the starting lineup upon returning to fitness proved how much Arteta relies on his overall tactical engine.

Ranking ninth, this comeback set the foundation for the current hierarchy. Gyokeres scored goals while Havertz recovered, but the German reclaimed the position the moment he proved fit. It proved that Arteta views Havertz as an essential system piece rather than a temporary fix.

8. Gyokeres Reaches the 20-goal barrier in Debut Campaign

After arriving at Arsenal in the summer of 2025 as a marquee signing, Gyokeres hit the ground running by breaking the 20-goal barrier across all competitions. He demonstrated lethal finishing inside the penalty area and provided the central physical force Arsenal fans had demanded.

This achievement earns the eighth spot because it proves Gyokeres possesses elite scoring pedigree. However, it ranks below higher entries because raw goal counts failed to secure his place in high-stakes matches. His limited contribution to defensive pressing left Arteta searching for better balance.

7. Havertz Opens His Account Against Coventry City

Arsenal opened their campaign with Havertz starting up front and scoring against Coventry City to set the tone. The German attacker controlled the box with intelligent movement, leading Arsenal's front line with composure and securing a comfortable victory.

Sitting at number seven, this goal solidified Havertz as the primary option for the start of the season. It shut down summer media speculation about an opening-day change at forward. Scoring early gave Havertz immediate momentum over his Swedish teammate.

6. Havertz Drops 25 to 30 yards to Shield Arsenal's Midfield

During Sunday's win over Chelsea, Havertz repeatedly tracked back 25 to 30 yards from his forward position to form Arsenal's defensive block. When Chelsea bypassed the front press, Havertz was recovering behind the ball to plug passing lanes and contest second balls.

This tactical display takes the sixth spot because it highlights the fundamental divide between the two strikers. As Sky Sports analysis noted, traditional goalscorers rarely submit to that level of defensive tracking. Havertz's engine gives Arsenal defensive stability that Gyokeres simply does not match.

Tactical Battles & Broadcast Debates: Ranks 5 to 1

5. Havertz Scores Against Chelsea to Maintain Perfect Record

Havertz delivered the decisive blow against Chelsea on Sunday, scoring to keep Arsenal's perfect start intact through three matches. As Mirror Football reported, his strike capped off a relentless individual performance against top-four opposition.

This moment ranks fifth because it directly yielded three points in a major derby. It proved Havertz can provide clutch goalscoring alongside his heavy defensive duties. Back-to-back goals against Coventry and Chelsea make him indispensable right now.

4. Jamie Carragher's Blunt Verdict on Sky Sports

Following Arsenal's win over Chelsea, pundit Jamie Carragher delivered a direct assessment on Sky Sports regarding the forward debate. Carragher insisted that Gyokeres is never displacing Havertz in Arteta's current setup.

"To displace Havertz out of this team, you need to be one of the best players in the world, it has to be an Ian Wright or Thierry Henry, a guarantee of 30 goals a season." โ€” Jamie Carragher

Ranking fourth, this television critique framed the national debate. Carragher argued that even talented attackers like Morgan Rogers would struggle to displace Havertz due to team workload. It shifted public discussion from individual finishing stats to collective team structure.

3. Arteta Selects Havertz for the Champions League Final

When Arsenal stepped out for last season's Champions League final, Arteta started Havertz while Gyokeres watched from the bench. Despite Gyokeres' impressive goal record, the manager trusted Havertz's pressing intelligence on football's biggest stage.

This decision takes the third spot because it revealed Arteta's true hierarchy under peak pressure. Leaving a 20-goal striker on the bench in a European final proved that pressing and tactical discipline outweigh pure goal totals. That selection established the tactical foundation governing Arsenal today.

2. Arteta Praises Havertz's Off-Field Stability and Team Work

Speaking after the Chelsea victory, Arteta praised Havertz's mindset, personal life, and daily training habits. The Arsenal boss underlined that Havertz's off-field routine directly fuels his unselfish contribution on the pitch.

"Heโ€™s scoring goals, but not only that - heโ€™s also doing amazing work for the team." โ€” Mikel Arteta

This press conference takes second place because Arteta publicly closed the door on a forward rotation. By prioritizing team work over individual status, Arteta sent a clear signal to the squad. It leaves Gyokeres facing an uphill battle for playing time.

1. Arteta Commits to Havertz as Arsenal's Permanent Focal Point

The top moment in Arsenal's modern attack came when Arteta locked in Havertz as his permanent central striker for the 2026/27 season. Navigating the opening three matches with three victories, Arteta proved his willingness to bench a marquee summer signing to protect his system.

This takes the number one spot because it dictates Arsenal's tactical direction for the entire season. Arteta is betting his championship ambition on a hybrid forward who defends deep rather than a pure finisher. It is a bold, decisive move that defines Arsenal's current era.

Honorable Mentions & The Road Ahead

Honorable mentions include Gyokeres' pre-season hat-trick attempt which sparked debate over a potential two-striker formation, and Havertz's tactical briefing with Arteta that expanded his defensive duties. Both moments offered alternative pathways that Arteta ultimately rejected.

Arsenal's squad depth provides luxury, but keeping high-profile international players satisfied on the bench will test Arteta's management. As detailed in the Mirror Football report, competition for places remains fierce across the squad. If Havertz experiences a scoring drought, pressure will build from fans, but for now, Arteta's faith in Havertz is fully justified.