Arsenal fans have hit out at Mikel Arteta for his decision to name Kai Havertz in the starting line-up to face Liverpool at Anfield. The Gunners take the trip to Anfield in the hope of reclaiming their spot at the top of the Premier League table after Manchester City’s loss to Brighton on Saturday.
However, fans are unhappy with the ‘obsession’ Arteta has towards backing Havertz. The German forward flattered to deceive in the Carabao Cup fourth round exit at the hands of Fleetwood Town. Some of the Arsenal supporters believe Viktor Gyokeres deserved to start the game after scoring in the cup game, despite the Premier League champions losing on penalties.
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One fan called Arteta ‘weird’ for starting Havertz and wrote on X:
“Havertz can’t score on a league 2 team yet he is starting at the Anfield. Arteta is weird sometimes”
Another supporter posted:
“This Havertz obsession needs to be investigated”
@Jiggyfasho warned Arsenal:
“This Havertz obsession will the end of us this season, if the grace given to Havertz is extended to Gyokeres too he will have picked his form…”
@aaalex asked:
How is Havertz still getting game time? Absolutely diabolical”
@donbrittoEBK stated:
“Hate how much arteta love Havertz”
@EdiriQX added:
“Harvertz starting ahead of Gyokeres once again? Arteta won’t change”
Arsenal can return to the top of the table if they avoid defeat against Liverpool. Notably, the north London club have not won at Anfield since 2012.
How does the rest of the Arsenal line-up look at Anfield?
Arsenal rested a number of first team regulars during their Carabao Cup loss to Fleetwood Town. Understandably, this is a much-changed line-up against Liverpool.
David Raya replaces Illan Meslier in goal. Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori return as starters in defence. Martin Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly lose their spots to Bruno Guimaraes, who missed the crucial penalty against Fleetwood Town, and Declan Rice.
Christos Tzolis is back from injury in attack and is joined by Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke, with Havertz up top as the striker. Bukayo Saka is out injured and Max Dowman is suspended after his red card in the cup game on Tuesday.
Arteta has named Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Mikel Merino, Zubimendi and Lewis-Skelly on the bench for this game.
The Gunners head into this game after winning each of their last three Premier League games. Liverpool, meanwhile, are on a five-game winning streak in all competitions.
Edited by Nived Zenith
