13 May 2024 , 13:14
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Kai Havertz has been likened to a prominent Liverpool legend of the the club's Jurgen Klopp era after another laudable display for the Gunners over the weekend.
The Germany international, 24, notched his 19th goal involvement of the season as he provided Leandro Trossard in the first half for the only goal in Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Manchester United. Sunday's display at Old Trafford was the latest example of Havertz's recent scintillating form under manager Mikel Arteta.
Following his £65million move from London rivals Chelsea over the summer, Havertz found himself on the receiving end of plenty of scrutiny after wasting a number of good chances.
Yet, an upturn in form has seen Havertz become an important part of Arsenal's ongoing title challenge against defending champions Manchester City.
And Neville believes the mounting influence of Havertz' impressive performances is in similar ilk to that of Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino. "Havertz is doing a similar thing to what Firmino did at Liverpool," Neville said on Sky Sports.
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"He drops in, he links the play, he provides a goal threat. But he's subservient to the team, he'll do whatever the team needs during a game. Remember for large parts of this season there were large question marks over Havertz, but he's 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 main plaudits and the credit. And that's right, but I always used to mention Firmino because of the way he played, connecting midfield with the attack. Havertz is doing something similar."
Firmino, who departed Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League last summer, was integral to a number of trophy triumphs for Liverpool, proving himself to be as versatile as he was selfless. He routinely dropped deep into midfield to link play and operated as a false nine, yet never losing the threat he posed in the box. Over eight years with the club, Firmino scored 111 goals and provided 75 assists.
Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring Liverpool's seventh goal against Manchester United (Getty Images)Shades of the Brazilian's play can be seen in Havertz, according to Neville, particularly the versatility with which Arteta has relished. Havertz has operated as an attacking midfielder and further forward in more central forward roles throughout the season as his manager bids to get the very best out of his team.
With the Premier League title on the line for Arsenal, Havertz admitted he will be, for one night only, the biggest Tottenham fan as the club host Manchester City on Tuesday night. With the Gunners sat on 86 points from 37 games and City with 85 but a game in hand, a draw or win for Spurs would put Arsenal at a massive advantage heading into their final match against Everton on the weekend.
"I'm going to biggest fan of Tottenham ever on Tuesday. We all are going to be so let's hope for the best," Havertz quipped to Sky Sports on Sunday evening.
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