Kai Havertz could prove to be a critical asset for Arsenal when they travel to Everton – seven months after Mikel Arteta claimed the Gunners lacked physicality at Goodison Park

Back in February, Mikel Arteta admitted that his Arsenal side lacked height and physicality when they continued their dismal run of away form against Everton.

The Gunners’ Premier League title bid took a massive dent when James Tarkowski struck in the second half to earn relegation-threatened Everton a 1-0 win at Goodison Park. It was a disappointing performance from the visitors, who were second best throughout and Arteta was not pleased with his side’s showing.

After the game, Arteta claimed that Arsenal did not match Everton’s physical strength and that was a factor behind their downfall on Merseyside. But fast forward seven months and Arsenal now have an asset which could combat the Toffees and be crucial if they are to win this afternoon.

Kai Havertz may prove critical for Arsenal as he is six foot two and can add an extra dimension, especially during set pieces. Everton are so strong from corners and set pieces and Havertz could be vital to stop the Toffees’ main threat from working once again.

Fellow summer signing Declan Rice, meanwhile, also stands at six foot two and will also boast some more height and physicality in the Arsenal side, compared to what they had last season. Arteta will be hoping Havertz and Rice can help end his side’s rotten run of form at Goodison Park.

The Gunners have not won in five trips to Everton, losing four of those in the process. Arsenal’s most recent win in this fixture came in October 2017 when they ran out 5-2 winners thanks to goals from Nacho Monreal, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez.

James Tarkowski scored the winner for Everton against Arsenal in February

Speaking after his side’s defeat in February, Arteta said: “We had loads of the ball but we lacked that purpose and quality in the final third, we generated many chances.

“But then we conceded and they slowed the game down and we struggled. They do this to every team that is their strength with the height, the physicality is their strength, if you want to control the game against them you have to control this. We did not do that today.

“We needed more composure and to control emotionally the game better. We gave away so many unnecessary free-kicks and that’s what they want. Today I love them much better than the week before or a month ago. It is easy to be next to someone when they are winning well. I am still so proud of all of these players, they deserve it.

“This is not going to be a rose pathway. This is going to be tricky and we will have to dig in and play much better than we did today.”