Chris Sutton has suggested that one Arsenal player may just be starting to push themselves towards player of the season contention after being quietly phenomenal as the months have gone on.
This season is threatening to turn into a historical one for Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard could become the first boss to win the Premier League title in his first managerial role.
And of course, the Champions League remains up for grabs.
What is remarkable about this Arsenal team is how well everyone seems to be playing. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been exceptional at the back. Declan Rice is integral to the balance of the side. And Martin Odegaard has grown and grown with the captain’s armband.
But perhaps the surprise of the season has come further forward.
Chris Sutton says Arsenal player has been quietly phenomenal this season
Many were stunned when Arsenal pursued a deal for Kai Havertz after a difficult time at Chelsea. And it seemed that those concerns were justified in the early stages of the season.
But Havertz has moved into the striker role in the last couple of months. And he has gone on to score nine times in the Premier League, with the latest coming as Arsenal chased a crucial second against Brighton at the weekend.
Speaking on The Monday Night Club, Chris Sutton noted that it is probably too much to say Havertz has been the player of the season, but he deserves enormous credit for putting himself even close to the conversation.
“Rory is also right about the point about Arsenal needing a centre forward. I was on that bandwagon. But they’ve found a way,” he said.
“Kai Havertz now, could he be sneaking in for a player of the season shout? I don’t quite think so, but he’s been pretty phenomenal.”
Why Kai Havertz deal should seriously excite Arsenal fans ahead of the summer
Havertz’s form should excite Arsenal fans ahead of the summer transfer window. The Gunners have made some initially questionable moves under Edu and Arteta. But none have attracted the amount of scrutiny that the Havertz move did.
They have been vindicated in some style. And with that, Arsenal supporters can be optimistic that whoever comes in in the summer is the right person to take the team forward – even if it does appear that way when the links emerge.
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