Jamie Carragher: How Kai Havertz’s off-ball work is transforming Arsenal like Roberto Firmino at Liverpool | football news

May 10, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

Jamie Carragher believes Kai Havertz’s Roberto Firmino-style off-the-ball work up front has helped transform Premier League leaders Arsenal both defensively and offensively.

Havertz, a £65million signing from Chelsea in the summer, has excelled since moving to centre-forward in February, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in 10 starts in the position.

As well as scoring goals freely in 2024, Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side have continued to improve defensively, conceding just eight goals in 16 games since the turn of the year.

“I think right now Arsenal are so good in Europe and probably in the world at defending and making it difficult for teams,” Carragher said of Monday night football.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Arsenal’s win over Bournemouth

“They have definitely improved in 2024 from the first half of the season, and one of the reasons is Kai Havertz’s role.”

Havertz has had a difficult start to the campaign but has become a vital figure for the Gunners in recent months and is expected to start his 15th consecutive Premier League game when they face Manchester United live. sky sports on Sunday.

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“He was made fun of a little bit at the beginning of the season,” Carragher said.

“Finally, we are seeing that he is a center forward. I am not saying that he is going to be an incredible scorer, because he is not.

“But he is a centre-forward and he is helping Arsenal do what they are doing now, which is to be very strong defensively. That is what gives them a great chance to win the Premier League title.”

How Arsenal's approach is different when Havertz plays in the 9th position
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How Arsenal’s approach is different when Havertz plays in the 9th position

Carragher analyzed Arsenal’s defensive form in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth and said: “When they go to Manchester City or Tottenham, they get into a very deep block.

“But they are also as good as anyone at pressing from the front, going man-to-man and winning the ball high up the pitch.

“It’s not often you see a team at the top play like a team at the bottom. That’s not a criticism, it’s a compliment, because these attacking players are working very hard to get back behind the ball. That’s why it’s so difficult to play against Arsenal right now.

Arsenal's compact and deep block against Bournemouth
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Arsenal’s compact and deep block against Bournemouth

“We always say that, from back to front, a big number would be between 20 and 25 metres,” he said, looking at Arsenal’s defensive set-up against Bournemouth.

“It’s 15 metres. 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 this way, showing his willingness to get back into position to engage in their deep blocking.

His work rate is reflected in the fact that, according to tracking data, the 25-year-old covers more ground than other centre-forwards. He works equally hard in possession, dropping deep to give Arsenal’s wide players more space to run like he did against Bournemouth.

Kai Havertz runs 11.5 km every 90 minutes this season
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Havertz runs 11.5 km every 90 minutes this season

“When I think about great Premier League centre-forwards who haven’t been great goalscorers, the one that comes to mind is Firmino at Liverpool and the work he did without the ball,” Carragher said.

“How many times have we talked about that Liverpool team, with Firmino being deep, helping in midfield and the wide players in position to penetrate?

Havert'z's deep positioning gives Saka and Trossard the opportunity to run into space
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Havert’z’s deep positioning gives Saka and Trossard the opportunity to run into space

“(Leandro) Trossard on one side, (Bukayo) Saka on the other,” he added, reviewing the build-up to Arsenal’s second goal against Bournemouth. “The centre-backs are not very sure who to choose. They have been taken out of their position.

By dropping into midfield, Havertz dislodges Bournemouth's centre-backs, leaving a gap that Arsenal's wide players can exploit.
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By dropping into midfield, Havertz dislodges Bournemouth’s centre-backs, leaving a gap that Arsenal’s wide players can exploit.

“Look at the reaction of all the players (after Trossard scores the goal). Everyone is celebrating, because they know that the second goal is relief.

“But look at Havertz. He’s devastated. He’s not celebrating because he’s absolutely devastated. He’s squatting, absolutely devastated, for the job he’s doing for the team. Absolutely fantastic.”

Havertz is crouching, too tired to celebrate, after Arsenal's second goal.
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Havertz is crouching, too tired to celebrate, after Arsenal’s second goal.

However, it is without possession, both in terms of compactness and pressure, that Carragher feels Havertz has made the biggest difference.

“They are in a compact state, further back, but they also win the ball higher up and do it even better,” he added.

Arsenal are more compact defensively when Havertz plays in the 9th position
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Arsenal are more compact defensively when Havertz plays in the 9th position

“Arsenal fans have a great song for him. It’s a catchy song. I sing it from time to time.”

“He’s having a real impact on this team and I don’t think anyone would have predicted it at the start of the season.”

Watch Man Utd vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League from 3.30pm Sunday; start at 4:30 p.m.

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