TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves was full of praise for Kai Havertz after his performance in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Newcastle at the weekend.
The German international got on the scoresheet against the Magpies but Hargreaves says it is the forward’s ability to press the ball that gives the Gunners an added dimension when he plays as the No.9:
“He was brilliant. He gives them something so different, doesn’t he? Physically, I think, with his size, he can press. The intensity of that press from Arsenal was really special. It felt like those great Tottenham and Liverpool teams.”
“All the best teams in the world are compact, aren’t they?! Everybody. If we are going to go with Odegaard, if we are going with Kai, then we are all going to go. Declan is going to go, Martinelli is going to go and Kiwior is going to go. Mikel Arteta loves this. They have worked on this.”
Is Havertz finally beginning to find his feet?
The 24-year-old has received a lot of criticism since his £65m move from Chelsea in the summer; much of it deserved.
However, Havertz has been excellent in the last two Premier League games, scoring 2 goals and providing one assist. His versatility, especially with Gabriel Jesus sidelined, has proven to be particularly valuable, being deployed up front and in midfield.
Arsenal don’t have a ruthless striker but they do have multiple threats
While there are justifiable concerns that the Gunners lack an out-and-out goalscorer, it hasn’t stopped them from scoring 25 times in their last 6 league matches.
Manager Mikel Arteta has a number of players in his squad, like Havertz, who can chip with goals when needed.
