Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has now named the one member of Mikel Arteta’s current squad who reminds him of himself.
Cesc Fabregas was a sensational talent in his time on the books at Arsenal.
First joining the North London club in 2003 as a teenager, he soon made the step up from the academy, and established himself in Arsene Wenger’s first-team in 2004. The Spanish midfielder went on to make over 300 appearances for Arsenal before he returned to Barcelona in the summer of 2011.
In his time with the Gunners, the 36-year-old earned a reputation as one of the most talented midfield operators in the Premier League, and often dazzled with his supreme technical ability, creativity, and eye for goal. He was named club captain in 2008.
On the surface, the most obvious candidate from amongst the club’s current crop of players to draw a comparison with Fabregas is Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian playmaker is the creative hub of Mikel Arteta’s team. Odegaard currently leads Europe in terms of his creativity. He also wear the captain’s armband with great distinction.
Arsenal icon Cesc Fabregas compares himself to Kai Havertz
However, Fabregas has now likened himself to another current Arsenal star.
Speaking on Planet Premier League, the 110-cap former Spain international said of Kai Havertz “I don’t like to talk about me, but he reminds me a little bit of me in Barcelona as well, because I used to play these two roles that he plays in a false nine in a way, and a number eight, and I know exactly what it feels like. It’s good because he feels now an important player for the team.
“I really like it because he has very good link-up play. He attacks the space, as we saw yesterday he can score goals, he has good timing of his runs. He plays simple, he doesn’t try to make too many tricks or difficult things, he does what he has to do. He’s very simple in that, very basic, and that’s what makes him good.”
What Kai Havertz brings to Arsenal
Havertz has shone as a striker for Arsenal in recent months. The German took some time to settle at the Emirates Stadium following his arrival from Chelsea in the recent summer transfer window, but now looks to be going from strength to strength under Arteta.
Arteta initially envisioned Havertz as a midfield option for Arsenal, and that may well be where his long-term future lies. For now, though, he is proving to be the Gunners’ most effective option to lead the line.
The 24-year-old demonstrated his value as a striker once again on Tuesday evening as he returned to haunt his former club with a well-taken brace. Havertz is currently enjoying his best season in front of goal of his Premier League career so far.
In terms of style of play, he does not share many characteristics with Fabregas, but he is an ideal fit for Arteta’s tactical vision. The Gunners will now be relying upon the Germany international to maintain his current form for the rest of the season as they seek to land their first Premier League title in 20 years.
In the meantime, Fabregas is now looking to find his way as a coach.
