Deal close: Arsenal finalising mega £85m deal for “powerhouse”, he’s a Havertz upgrade

How Gyokeres compares to Havertz

If Gyokeres is to arrive at the Emirates this summer, his biggest rival for the starting striker role will likely be Havertz, as towards the end of last season, he was clearly favoured to lead the line over Gabriel Jesus by Arteta.

Unfortunately for the German, his raw output doesn't even come close to the Swede's. For example, in his 51 appearances for the Gunners last season, he scored 14 goals and provided seven assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 2.4 games.

Even when looking at just the 18 matches he started as the team's striker, in which he returned an impressive eight goals and seven assists to average a goal involvement every 1.2 games, he can't match the Sporting star's haul.

Gyokeres vs Havertz

Player

Gyokeres

Havertz

Appearances

50

51

Goals

43

14

Assists

15

7

Goal Involvements per Match

1.16

0.41

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In his 50 appearances for the Lisbon side last season, the 6 foot 2 "powerhouse", as described by data analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 43 goals and racked up 15 assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 0.86 games - talk about being a goal machine.

The comparison is just as one-sided when looking at the pair's striker-relevant underlying numbers as well.

Gyokeres vs Havertz

Stats per 90

Gyokeres

Havertz

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.78

0.47

Non-Penalty Goals

0.69

0.31

Assists

0.31

0.17

Progressive Passes

1.68

3.14

Progressive Carries

3.66

1.70

Shots

3.13

2.15

Shots on Target

1.53

0.83

Passing Accuracy

71.7%

80.8%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.66

0.60

Shot-Creating Actions

4.08

3.20

Successful Take-ons

1.96

0.50

All Stats via FBef for the 23/24 Season

For example, while the "incredible" nine, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, comes out second best in some metrics like passing accuracy and progressive passes, he emerges on top in practically all others, including non-penalty expected goals and assists actual non-penalty goals and assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, goal and shot-creating actions and successful take-ons, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Havertz was quite impressive in the latter half of last season, his attacking output is simply dwarfed by that of Gyokeres.