Former Rangers star Ally McCoist has suggested that Arsenal cannot win the Premier League title until they acquire an “out-and-out” goalscorer capable of netting 24 goals to replace Kai Havertz in manager Mikel Arteta’s squad. McCoist’s comments came after Havertz’s lackluster performance in Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to 10-man Manchester United on Sunday.
During the match, Havertz failed to score and missed several opportunities, contributing to Arsenal’s elimination from the FA Cup in the third round. The Red Devils triumphed 5-3 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, with Havertz notably missing his spot-kick in the shootout.
“It’s come back to bite them that they don’t have an out-and-out goalscorer on the team,” McCoist told talkSPORT. He acknowledged Havertz’s abilities, stating, “I think he’s a very good player, I really do, and I have liked him for a long time. I think he’s a very intelligent player, but an out-and-out centre-forward he is not.”
While McCoist recognized that Havertz can fill in as a temporary solution, playing as a false 10 or false 9, he emphasized that this is not a sustainable long-term strategy. “I just believe that to win the league you’ve got to have somebody that’s going to get you 25 goals a season,” he asserted.
Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea for £65 million in 2023. Although he is currently Arsenal’s top scorer this season with 12 goals, he has not proven to be a particularly clinical player in front of goal.
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