Arsenal hero Havertz reminds Neville of Liverpool legend

Tom Weber

Updated: 13 May 2024 20:55 BST
3 min read

There are shades of Roberto Firmino in the way Kai Havertz plays, according to Gary Neville.

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After a slow start, the Arsenal summer signing has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta's team. Havertz has been in stunning form in recent months and once again starred at the weekend when he set up the Gunners' winner against Man Utd.

An attacking midfielder by trade, Havertz was regularly played as a number nine at Chelsea but rarely looked comfortable in the role. At Arsenal, however, he is now thriving and has made that position his own. His size and technical ability mean that he can do a bit of everything and is invaluable to the Arteta wants his side to play.

The German international has recorded 12 goals and seven assists in the Premier League so far this term and was singled out for praise by Man Utd legend Gary Neville after his performance against the Red Devils.

Havertz like Firmino

The Sky Sports pundit compared Havertz to Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino, now playing for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Havertz interprets his role similarly to the Brazilian, playing more as a false nine rather than a traditional striker.

“They [Arsenal] got a good balance," Neville said. "Havertz is doing a similar thing to the thing Firmino did at Liverpool. He drops in and links the play, he is providing a goal threat, but he is subservient to the team"

“He will do whatever the team needs in a game and you will remember for large parts of this season there were question marks over Havertz but he has become a really important figure."

“I used to think that Firmino was a wonderful player for Liverpool. [Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah used to get all the plaudits and the main credit, but I always used to mention Firmino because the way he played connected the midfield into the attack and Havertz is doing something similar.”