Despite the ongoing speculation about Arsenal's need for a traditional No. 9, the Gunners have yet to prioritize signing one. Many pundits claim that Arsenal cannot win the Premier League without a top-tier striker, but this viewpoint may be overly simplistic.

Last season, Arsenal scored 91 goals in the Premier League, which is more than what five of the last 10 champions achieved. They were only five goals short of Manchester City's tally, a team that boasts Erling Haaland, a goal-scoring machine. In Mikel Arteta's system, the focus isn't on a single prolific striker but rather on a collective approach, with Kai Havertz playing a crucial role as a false No. 9, occupying space between the lines and offering an aerial threat with his 6'4" frame.

Havertz isn't just a traditional No. 9; he's versatile, contributing to both goals and assists. Last season, Arsenal didn't have a player scoring 25 or more goals, but they had multiple players contributing significantly. Bukayo Saka led with 20 goals in all competitions, followed by Leandro Trossard with 17, Havertz with 14, Martin Ødegaard with 11, and both Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus with 8 each. Arteta's system maximizes Saka's abilities and uses the wingers effectively to create scoring opportunities.

Relying on several players to each score around 15 goals might actually be more practical than depending on one player to net 25-30. If a key player like Haaland were sidelined for six months, Manchester City would feel the impact much more than Arsenal would if they lost Havertz or Trossard for the same period. As Daniel Sturridge pointed out, "It seems that all Arsenal players can score goals, which is what Arteta wants."

Havertz, who once tallied 9 goals and 8 assists in just 14 games, has silenced critics questioning his £65 million price tag. After a brief adjustment period, he has proven to be one of Arsenal's most insightful signings in recent years.

This approach doesn't ignore the facts but rather emphasizes a different perspective.