Jamie Carragher believes Kai Havertz’s Roberto Firmino-like attacking work up top has helped transform Premier League leaders Arsenal both defensively and offensively.
Havertz, who joined from Chelsea for £65million in the summer, has excelled since moving to the centre-forward position in February, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in 10 starts in the position.
Mikel Arteta’s side, who are challenging for the title in 2024, have not only been able to score points easily, but have also continued to improve defensively, conceding just eight goals in 16 games since the turn of the year.
“I think Arsenal are as good as anyone in Europe and probably the world at the moment defensively and at making things difficult for teams,” Carragher continued Monday Night Football.
“They have definitely improved in 2024 compared to the first half of the season, and one of the reasons is the role of Kai Havertz.”
Havertz has had a difficult start to the season but has become an important figure for the Gunners in recent months and is expected to start in a 15th consecutive Premier League game when they face Manchester United live Sky Sports on Sunday.
Sunday, May 12, 3:30 p.m
Kick-off is 4:30 p.m
“He was mocked a bit at the start of the season,” Carragher said.
“We finally see that he is a center forward. I’m not saying he’s going to be an incredible scorer, because he’s not.”
“But he is a centre-forward and he helps Arsenal do what they are doing at the moment, which is to be so strong defensively. That’s what gives them a great chance of winning the Premier League title.”
How Arsenal’s approach differs when Havertz plays at number 9
Analyzing Arsenal’s defensive form in their 3-0 win over Bournemouth, Carragher said: “If they go away to Manchester City or Tottenham they’ll get into a really deep deadlock.”
“But they are also just as good at pressing from the front, playing man-to-man and winning the ball high up.”
“It’s not often you see a top team play like a team at the bottom. That’s not criticism, that’s praise, because these offensive players work so hard to get back behind the ball. That’s why it’s so difficult to play against them.” Arsenal at the moment.
Arsenal’s compact, deep block against Bournemouth
“We always say that from back to front there is a big number between 20 and 25 meters,” he said as he looked at Arsenal’s defensive line-up against Bournemouth.
“That’s 15 meters. How difficult is it to score beyond that? Nobody can score against them or even create chances against them.”
Carragher highlighted Havertz’s role in helping Arsenal play in this manner and showed his willingness to get himself back in position to take part in their deep block.
His work rate can be seen from the fact that, according to the tracking data, the 25-year-old covers more areas of application than other center forwards. He works similarly hard in possession, dropping deep to give Arsenal’s wide players more space to run, as he did against Bournemouth.
Havertz is covering 11.5 km per 90 minutes this season
“When I think of great center forwards in the Premier League who weren’t great goalscorers, what comes to mind is Firmino at Liverpool and the work he did off the ball,” Carragher said.
“How many times have we talked about the Liverpool team where Firmino sits deep, helps the midfield and the wingers are able to penetrate?”
Havert’s deep positioning gives Saka and Trossard the chance to run into space
“[Leandro] Trossard on the one hand, [Bukayo] “Saka, on the other hand,” he added as he surveyed the build-up to Arsenal’s second goal against Bournemouth. “The centre-backs aren’t quite sure who to sign. “They’ve been pulled out of position.
By retreating into midfield, Havertz pushes Bournemouth’s centre-backs out of position, leaving a gap for Arsenal’s wingers to exploit
“Look at the reaction of all the players [after Trossard scores the goal]. Everyone celebrates because they know that the second goal is a relief.
“But look at Havertz. He is devastated. He doesn’t celebrate because he’s completely exhausted. He is completely devastated by the work he does for the team. Absolutely fantastic.”
Havertz is too tired to celebrate after Arsenal’s second goal
However, Carragher feels Havertz has made the biggest difference when out of possession, both in terms of compactness and pressing.
“They’re in this compact state, further back, but they’re also winning the ball higher up and doing it even better,” he added.
Arsenal are more compact defensively when Havertz plays at number 9
“They have a great song for him, the Arsenal fans. It’s a catchy tune. I sing them myself from time to time.”
“He has a real impact on this team and I don’t think anyone knew that going into the season.”
Watch Man Utd vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League from 3:30pm on Sunday. Kick-off 4.30 p.m
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