Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has now heaped praise on one maligned Arsenal star who has taken the Gunners to the next level.
Arsenal still stand a chance of being crowned Premier League champions this season.
Whilst the Gunners are reliant upon Manchester City dropping points in order for them to stand any chance of winning the title, if Mikel Arteta’s side can win their remaining two games then they will take the title race down to the wire at the very least.
The Gunners’ title challenge this season has been built on extraordinary solidity at the back. The Arsenal defence has been in a class of its own. The North London club have conceded just 28 times in 36 top flight outings so far this season, as they boast by far the best defensive record in the division. Goalkeeper David Raya was recently confirmed as the Golden Glove winner.
However, Arsenal’s defensive work starts at the top of the pitch, and is absolutely a collective effort. Gabriel Martinelli has been praised for his diligence in tracking back, whilst Martin Odegaard has been hailed as a “perfect” Arsenal captain due to his relentless pressing.
Jamies Carragher has now highlighted how important Kai Havertz is to how Arsenal defend from the front.
Jamie Carragher shines light on Kai Havertz impact at Arsenal
Speaking on Sky Sports, the pundit said: “I think Arsenal right now, defensively, are as good as anyone in Europe, probably the world…One of the reasons that’s helped this is the role of Kai Havertz.
“Now, Kai Havertz has been mocked a little bit at the start of the season…To be honest, I’ve never been quite sure what his position is. I think, finally now, he’s a centre-forward.
“I’m not saying he’s going to be an unbelievable goalscorer, because he’s not. But he’s a centre-forward, and he’s helping Arsenal do what they’re doing right now, which is basically being so strong defensively, and that’s what’s giving them a great chance to win the Premier League.”
Kai Havertz has now proven his critics wrong
Havertz has shone as a striker for Arsenal in recent weeks. The German has been in a rich vein of form in front of goal too, having netted 8 times in his last 12 Premier League outings.
Few would have predicted that the 24-year-old would have made such a huge impact at the Emirates Stadium when the North London club paid £65 million to prise him away form Chelsea in the recent summer transfer window.
He arrived at Arsenal clearly bereft of confidence, and struggled to get to grips with Arteta’s tactical demands as he was initially trailed in a midfield role at Arsenal. Havertz was even called the worst signing of the summer.
However, Havertz has now silenced his doubters and is playing a key role for Arsenal at both ends of the pitch, fuelling their title charge.
