Arsenal told they must replace Kai Havertz with Premier League rival's star man if they want to win title

Yesterday at 11:37 AM

Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz.

This is the view of talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor, with Alan Brazil agreeing the team is missing a classic no.9.

Arsenal are nine points off the top of the Premier League and Agbonlahor believes big change in the attacking part of the pitch is needed.

He went on to suggest that Mikel Arteta should look to Newcastle for the solution to their problems, or they could fall even further away from the pack.

“They’re too reliant on [Bukayo] Saka. [Gabriel] Martinelli will turn up one game out of five,” Agbonlahor said on Breakfast.

“Havertz doesn’t look to me like he’s that leader that you want up front. They miss a striker,” Brazil agreed, adding that they need a goalscorer that they can rely on.

“Arsenal are dying for an Isak”, Agbonlahor later said.

“He can hold the ball up, he’s strong, he’s aggressive, he’s quick in behind and he can score every type of goal.

“Havertz is getting bullied, you don’t know where he’s playing. The Chelsea game he was so poor.”

“Arsenal, if they don’t make a top striker sign in January, I don’t think they’re going to be up there,” Agbonlahor added.

Havertz, who joined the Gunners last summer from Chelsea in June 2023 for £65million, has scored four goals in the Premier League this season and once in the Champions League.

Isak has also netted four times in the top-flight so far – including one in the 1-0 victory over Arsenal at St James Park earlier this month – as well as assisting two more.

Isak joined Newcastle for a fee understood to be in the region of £63 and finished last season with 21 goals for Eddie Howe’s side.

Arsenal next face an in-form Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, whilst Newcastle host a struggling West Ham United on Monday evening, live on talkSPORT.

The Gunners are on a four-game winless run, last drawing 1-1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before the international break.