"It's his choice" - Craig Burley insists 'mistake' from Mikel Arteta is costing Arsenal at the moment

ESPN pundit Craig Burley feels Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta cannot win the Premier League with Kai Havertz as a striker. He believes the German forward is ineffective in front of goal and needs to be replaced.

The Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Manchester United this weekend (January 12). They couldn't find a winner, despite United being reduced to 10 men, as they entered the penalty shootout with the scoreline at 1-1.

The Gunners lost 3-5 on penalties, with Havertz failing to convert his spot-kick. The former Chelsea forward also scuffed a great chance in normal time. Martin Odegaard made an excellent cross into the box but Havertz's strike went over the crossbar.

After a disappointing night in front of goal for the German, Burley has urged Arteta to sign another striker if he wants to challenge for the title race.

The pundit said (via Metro):

"If you’re going to challenge Liverpool and Man City for the Premier League, you need a player in the frontline that is way more effective than this guy [Havertz]."

"There are some people, and Mikel Arteta is one of them, who can’t see past Kai Havertz it seems. I know they don’t have many other options but that’s his choice, it’s his choice. He’s had transfer windows to address this and he hasn’t done it. He’s unlikely to do it in January, maybe he will with the [Gabriel] Jesus injury," he added.

The Gunners will next face Tottenham Hotspur in their mid-week Premier League fixture on Wednesday (January 15).

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Craig Burley says Kai Havertz cannot take Arsenal to 'the next level'

Mikel Arteta's side have come very close to ending their Premier League title drought in the last two seasons. However, the Gunners finished second behind Manchester City on both occasions.

Multiple reports suggest that Arsenal are in the market for a striker but they are yet to reinforce that position. The Gunners signed Havertz from Chelsea in 2023 but the German hasn't fit the profile of a prolific goalscorer, having scored 26 goals in 78 games so far for the club.

Craig Burley believes Havertz doesn't have what it takes to elevate Arsenal to 'the next level'. He said on ESPN (per the aforementioned outlet):

"Chelsea were willing to sell the player because he wasn’t prolific and consistent enough. Let’s not forget, Arsenal sign him as a midfielder and that didn’t work so that was another mistake from Mikel Arteta."

"Then he plays him up front, he works hard and he’s got a great attitude, but he’s not good enough to take Arsenal to the next level. If they don’t get a goalscorer, they’re not winning the Premier League, end of story," Burley concluded.