Kai Havertz

Havertz drops in to link play like a passer one moment and attacks the back post like a striker the next, refusing to settle into a fixed role. His aerial ability makes him a genuine set piece threat few smaller forwards can compete for, and his pressing regularly forces a rushed clearance from an otherwise composed defence. His touch in tight areas lets him hold the ball up rather than simply flicking it on.

The tension is that a forward this versatile rarely gets judged purely on what he does well, since fans compare him to a specialist striker scoring the same goals. He offers Arsenal tactical flexibility a traditional number nine never could, changing the point of attack depending on what the game needs. Whether that flexibility outweighs one ruthless focal point remains a genuine debate.