Ex-Arsenal defender William Gallas has called on his former club to find a replacement for Kai Havertz up front.

Speaking to Genting Casino, Gallas said that the German international lacks the necessary quality to help the Gunners win the Premier League:

“Kai Havertz has never ever been the right man to take Arsenal to the Premier League title. Havertz is a good player, but he’s not top class. I’m sorry, but he’s nowhere near a world-class level, Arsenal need a player to replace him at striker.”

“The club needs to wake up, it’s obvious and simple, they need a striker. You need a strong squad to compete with each other, that’s how Man City and Liverpool stay at such a high level, if you have the same starting XI every week then the performances level will drop.”

Havertz wasn’t brought to the Emirates to be a N0.9

It should be pointed out that manager Mikel Arteta initially bought the German international from Chelsea to fill the void left by Granit Xhaka.

However, Havertz did not look that comfortable playing in the “advanced 8” position and his best performances in an Arsenal shirt have been as a central striker. He has effectively displaced Gabriel Jesus in the starting lineup.

The forward has been one of Arsenal’s best performers this season

Gallas is being rather harsh on Havertz if you consider his form over the past few months. He is the club’s top scorer, having hit the back of the net 7 times in 17 appearances for the Gunners. Bukayo Saka (4) and Gabriel Martinelli (3) are quite some way behind him in the scoring charts.

However, Gallas is correct to say that you need an elite finisher if you want to win titles and Havertz isn’t that player. We shall see if the club do bring in a new No.9 in January or at the end of the season.

Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here