Alan Shearer completely agrees with what Gary Lineker has said about Kai Havertz at Arsenal
Once again, Kai Havertz scored against Chelsea on Sunday.
He just loves scoring against his former side. That’s his fourth now since making the switch across London in 2023.
But as well as scoring on Sunday, Havertz also played a crucial role in the winner. The German cleverly dummied Christos Tzolis’ pass that teed up Martin Odegaard to smash it past Emi Martinez. He didn’t get the actual assist for that but anyone watching knew that goal doesn’t happen without his part.
It was, in many ways, the perfect Havertz performance. He was heavily involved, getting plenty of touches and influence on the attack, intelligently moving into pockets and creating space for teammates. And above all, he was on the scoresheet in a big game.
Two ex-strikers that know a thing or two about scoring goals have had a fascinating discussion about Havertz since the Chelsea win.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer share their verdict on Kai Havertz
Gary Lineker set it up speaking on The Rest Is Football. “He does seem to score in the big games. Why do you think it is that when Arsenal play the more mediocre teams in the Premier League he doesn’t rattle loads in like Haaland?
“Maybe, I’m not sure he lives for goals, you know, like a true centre-forward like you were or I was or Haaland is. Like that is their reason for existing — this constant desire to score not just one goal but two or three. I don’t think he possesses that.”
Alan Shearer agreed but understands exactly why Mikel Arteta rates him so highly.
“Yeah, maybe you’re right, he said. “I’m not sure he’d have a sleepless night if he didn’t score.
“But the big games, goodness me, he doesn’t half deliver. And I guess that’s a decent combination though, isn’t it? I mean, Gyokeres did work last year because he did what he had to do. He did score the goals that Arsenal were missing.
“But there is a reason why Mikel picks Havertz in the big games. And that’s why — because he delivers.
They’re right. Havertz isn’t like Haaland and he never will be. He isn’t hellbent on scoring loads of goals and he can be frustrating in front of goal. But he offers things that most centre-forwards simply can’t.
Despite that, he is scoring at a genuinely great rate right now. He now has nine goals in his last 11 starts in competitive games for both club and country. That of course includes his stunning finish in the Champions League final.
It’s clear who Arteta prefers as his main centre-forward and it’s clear why. We wrote before the season started that if Havertz stays fit, he will have the best season of his career. He’s not off to a bad start. And with Saka and Odegaard also in excellent form alongside him, Arsenal’s attack is starting to look genuinely dangerous when these three are on the pitch together.
