Arsenal’s £4M Gamble: The Goal Machine Outshining Havertz
In just 22 games since leaving Arsenal, he’s netted an astonishing 37 goals. Described as a “Haaland-Kane hybrid,” this prodigious talent has left Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke lamenting the decision to let him go. “We sold him carelessly, and now he’s even better than Kai Havertz,” Kroenke reportedly expressed, frustrated with the move orchestrated by Mikel Arteta.
This 21-year-old striker, who departed Arsenal in 2022 for a mere £4M, scored a sensational hat-trick in just 62 minutes last week. Now, he’s outscoring Havertz, Arsenal’s £65M signing, and making waves in European football.
A Breakout Year Ignored
Rewind to January 2024, when Arsenal was in a rough patch that arguably derailed their title hopes. Meanwhile, the young forward was flourishing on loan, tallying 15 goals across 37 games for Motherwell in Scotland and Sturm Graz in Austria. His performances helped his teams secure a league title and make a mark in the Europa Conference League.
Despite his breakout season, Arsenal opted to cash in, just as they had done with Flo Balogun the year prior. Sturm Graz returned for the player, snapping him up for a modest £4M—chump change for a club of Arsenal’s stature, though a respectable sum for an academy graduate.
From Promising to Prolific
Since the move, the London-born striker, who is eligible to represent Denmark internationally, has been on fire. In league play, he has scored seven goals in nine matches—one more than the in-form Havertz. Across all competitions, his tally stands at eight goals in 13 games, bolstered by a spectacular hat-trick in a 5-0 thrashing of RB Salzburg.
Though Arsenal may not publicly express regret, they’ve undeniably lost a player with a rare skill set. Last season, he openly compared his playing style to Haaland and Kane, stating, *“Like Haaland, my main focus is scoring goals. If I touch the ball twice and score twice, I’m happy. But when I need to link play or hold up the ball, I look to Kane’s game.”
A Star on the Rise
This self-confidence has fueled his meteoric rise in Austria, where he’s developed into a formidable forward. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him break into one of Europe’s elite leagues in the near future. For now, Arsenal fans can only watch from afar as this “goal machine” continues to make a name for himself.
Will Arsenal rue letting this diamond slip away? Time will tell, but one thing is clear—this young star is just getting started.
