Team depth is arsenal This has not been seen in many years Mikel Arteta Also has the worst defense in the division – one that will hopefully emulate the great era of Adams, Campbell, Keown and others.

Despite the desire to replicate the heroics of Wenger’s brilliant stardom in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the question remains whether the Gunners actually have enough firepower to end their run. Premier League Barren run.

The defensive stability is there – conceding just three goals in seven top-flight games this season – but a solid attacking line-up has yet to be deployed, particularly on the left wing.

Even after passing through the middle, the advantages victor‘ subtitle £63.5m captured The Swedish star has scored just three goals so far in north London, having already scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting CP.

With a lot of history to try and emulate, whether it’s Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp, ​​the 27-year-old has a lot of work to do – how can Arteta realize his full potential?

How Arteta took Gio Cres to ‘invincible’ level

The combination of Bergkamp and Henry might be an unfair benchmark for any modern Arsenal forward line, but the dynamic duo were at the heart of Arsene Wenger’s brilliant side all those years ago.

While they actually only scored 20 goals combined in 216 games, according to Transfermarkt, the pairing of Henry and Bergkamp was a telepathic and gifted duo who meshed perfectly together to devastating effect.

The days of forward partnerships may be dead, and although things have become more direct in the top flight this season, from set-piece reliance to repeated long balls, why not consider Joe Kreis a centre-forward colleague?

and Martin Odegaard will be out In the absence of the Norwegian until at least mid-to-late November, Arteta has the opportunity to reconfigure his forward line, partnering Joe Kreis in support and allowing Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice to control the midfield.

In the case of Bergkamp and Thierry Henry, the two play to their respective strengths, with the Dutchman being technically proficient and powerful, while his French colleague offers exciting pace and finishing ability.

Eventually, the former Ajax man developed into a creator and goalscorer for the Gunners, notching 120 goals and 116 assists in all competitions.

Although Henry also contributed 108 assists, his talent lies primarily as a finisher, as evidenced by his record as the club’s all-time top scorer.

If Joe Kreis – who showed his destructive potential in Lisbon – wants to try and emulate that consistency in front of goal, he will likely need Bergkamp’s presence around.

Arsenal’s new Dennis Bergkamp

As already said, Odegaard’s departure and the playmaker’s declining form raise the possibility of a reshuffle in the coming weeks and months, with Arteta having options galore.

The obvious choice is to deploy Eberechi Eze in the number ten position, although with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli both struggling to maintain consistency, the Englishman may consider making the left wing his own.

Instead, with Eze dragged out wide, the central role behind Geocres will soon be replaced. Kai HavertzThe Germany international is expected to return next month, having been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery at the start of the season.

The former Chelsea man memorably signed in 2023 to serve as an unorthodox left-sided number eight before eventually returning to a forward role and finishing last season with 15 goals in all competitions despite being plagued by injuries again.

Now, with the addition of Jacques, the languid left-footer is less sure he will spearhead the attack – although Jamie Carragher says he may still do so “in the squad”.biggest game“-ensuring that his path to the game is probably to be a second striker or a top ten player.

Arteta has hinted that Havertz and Chokeres could play together, with the left-footed Havertz likely to slide onto the right, while Chokeres typically favors the left, as evidenced by his solo goal against Leeds United earlier this season.

With Jokeres stretching the game in a Henry-esque manner, Havertz can keep things together better, having previously been described by Paul Merson as “Dennis Bergkamp is such a player“During his days at Stamford Bridge.

The former Bayer Leverkusen prodigy is not an out-and-out centre-forward like Bergkamp, ​​but he has the ability to create magic from the front and is in the top 12 per cent of European forwards for passes per 90 according to FBref.

While Arteta will have to wait a while before deploying such a tactic, it will be interesting to see if the new Bergkamp-Henry style partnership can take off at the Emirates Stadium as the 26-year-old returns from injury.

It’s certainly worth a try.