Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has criticized Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, labeling him as a “baby coach” for his management of a €60 million star player during a recent match against Wolves.
Pochettino’s comments have intensified the ongoing tension between the two clubs, setting the stage for their upcoming clash.
The player in question, whose identity remains undisclosed, has frequently found himself sidelined by Arteta, leading to scrutiny from the Chelsea camp.
Pochettino expressed frustration with Arteta’s decision, suggesting that the Arsenal manager lacks the experience and tactical know-how to effectively utilize such a valuable asset.
Former Arsenal player Paul Merson has also entered the fray, urging Arteta to deploy Kai Havertz as a central striker.
Despite primarily featuring in midfield under Arteta, Havertz’s versatility allows him to excel in various positions on the pitch.
Merson believes that Havertz’s intelligent movement and goal-scoring ability make him an ideal candidate to lead Arsenal’s attack.
Havertz’s potential transition to a more advanced role coincides with Arsenal’s struggles to find a consistent goal-scoring option.
While Gabriel Jesus has been Arteta’s preferred choice up front, his inconsistency and injury problems have raised doubts about his suitability for the role.
With Havertz demonstrating his goal-scoring prowess in recent matches, Merson advocates for his inclusion as Arsenal’s primary striker.
The discussion surrounding Havertz’s role at Arsenal is fueled by speculation linking the club with moves for new strikers in the upcoming transfer windows.
Names such as Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen have been mentioned as potential targets, indicating Arteta’s desire to strengthen his attacking options.
However, Arteta remains committed to working with the current squad, emphasizing the importance of making the most of the players available to him.
As tensions escalate between Arsenal and Chelsea, Arteta’s management of tactical and personnel decisions comes under intense scrutiny.
With Havertz’s role taking center stage in discussions, Arsenal supporters eagerly await to see whether Arteta will heed the advice of pundits and make tactical adjustments to address their goal-scoring woes.
