Frank Lampard has noted an ‘interesting’ development he’s noticed about one Arsenal star at this summer’s Euros.
The Gunners have seen a number of players enjoy good performances at the European Championship out in Germany this month, with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka starring for England as William Saliba has shown his quality with France.
Whilst Kieran Tierney and Leandro Trossard have been slammed for their displays at the Euros, overall, it’s been a good summer for Arsenal and their 11 representatives at the major summer tournament.
And Lampard has highlighted one change he is now starting to see with one Arsenal player.
Lampard notes change in Arsenal star Kai Havertz’s attacking game
Speaking on BBC One’s coverage of the match, the former Chelsea manager noted how Kai Havertz is starting to look like a more natural striker, with the 25-year-old impressing as Germany’s main centre-forward, a role the forward thrived in with Arsenal in the latter stages of this season.
Lampard said when asked about Havertz’s style of play and how the German leads the front line: “He is such an interesting player Kai. He was searching for his best role all that point and growing into the nine, false nine.
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“But he has this ability, he has fluid movement Kai, he likes to stretch the game. He is so important as he’s prepared to make that run. Some of that is selfless, sometimes you won’t see him get it but he consistently makes that run. Technically he’s very good.”
When asked by Gary Lineker if Havertz is turning into an out-and-out no. 9, Lampard replied: “I think so. And I think in the teams he is playing with, even with Arsenal, who also like to have players arriving in spaces in between, you have to pick your moments when you can drop in and then others run in behind. But you must be the man that is consistently looking to push defenders back.”
Havertz could become the lead attacker for the Gunners next season
Havertz ultimately ending up as Arsenal’s main striker for the 2023/24 season was a development that few fans expected, yet the performances and the stats speak for themselves, with the German thriving in the role.
Whilst some supporters still maintain hope that Havertz could become the left-sided midfielder to partner Martin Odegaard and Rice, the reality is that the former Chelsea man is now an attacker, and one who is proving to be reliable with goals and assists.
Indeed, next season will be an interesting one for Havertz at Arsenal, with the Gunners expected to sign a new attacker that could challenge the German superstar for the centre-forward positon.
Arsenal players and transfer targets at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode of Cannon Fire – The Arsenal Insider Podcast, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discuss the European Championships. With 11 Arsenal players set to feature at the tournament, the pair debated which players could be fighting for their futures, and which are destined to succeed on the international stage.