Arsenal's preparations for Sunday's Premier League showdown at Liverpool have been complicated by Kai Havertz's puzzling dip in form, with the German forward caught offside a league-high 10 times in just eight matches.
Statistical Anomaly
Havertz's offside count far exceeds his previous seasonal averages of less than one per 90 minutes. The 27-year-old has also registered fewer shots, goals and non-penalty expected goals per 90 than in any previous Arsenal campaign, despite touching the ball only slightly less often.
Manager Mikel Arteta dismissed injury concerns after Havertz returned early from international duty with a muscle strain, stating there is "nothing to do with that." The forward has played six games since, contributing one assist but no goals, and produced a wasteful display in the EFL Cup loss at Fleetwood with seven shots yielding just 0.72 xG.
Arteta's Faith and Alternatives
Arteta retains "full trust" in Havertz, acknowledging that such efficiency fluctuations are "very common" for front players. The alternative, summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, managed only two shots in his best outing against Everton and averages 0.92 shots per 90, ranking 16th in the squad.
With Bukayo Saka (thigh), Noni Madueke (ankle) and Christos Tzolis unavailable, and youngster Max Dowman suspended, Havertz remains Arsenal's most experienced big-game option. His 18 goals and nine assists in 37 league games last season, including a pivotal role in the 3-1 win over Liverpool, underline his potential impact.
Match Details
Liverpool vs. Arsenal kicks off at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, November 1 at Anfield. The match will be broadcast on USA and streamed via fuboTV. Odds list Arsenal as slight favorites at +138, with Liverpool at +188 and the draw at +230.
