“He was so calm on the ball, anytime he touches the ball, the opposition players are always looking destabilized”- Thierry Henry was wowed by ‘electric’ Arsenal man’s composure in the rout against Lens last night
“He was so calm on the ball, anytime he touches the ball, the opposition players are always looking destabilized”- Thierry Henry was wowed by ‘electric’ Arsenal man’s composure in the rout against Lens last night
Thierry Henry hails 24-year-old Arsenal man’s composure in rout against Lens
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry praised Kai Havertz for his composure as the Gunners ran riot against Lens in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal charges were rampant against the Ligue 1 outfit at the Emirates Stadium, with the result a foregone conclusion by the half-hour mark in the match.
Havertz got the ball rolling for Arsenal, scoring in the 13th minute of the match for his second goal in his last two games.
The 24-year-old was on hand to bundle home from close range – via the underside of Bryce Samba’s arm – following a Gabriel Jesus header into his path.
Three more goals followed from Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and Havertz played a part in the third, the one Saka scored.
Havertz won the duel from a David Raya kick, nodding the ball down into Declan Rice’s path.
The midfielder then fed his teammate down the left, whose shot was initially saved well by Samba.
However, Saka was on hand to convert as the ball hit him on the legs and rolled into the back of the net.
Havertz also played his part in a potential fifth ahead of Martin Odegaard’s goal on the stroke of half time.
Saka played in Martinelli down the right of the area, but he fired into the side of the net. Better placement and that would’ve been the fifth.
“It should be 5-0,” Merson said on Sky Sports News. “Havertz is so calm on the ball in the move. Martinelli just has to roll it across the goal and Jesus would have an easy tap in.”
It’s great to see Havertz finally turn a corner after a tricky start to life at the Emirates. Some players hit the ground running, while others need a little more time to get up to speed.
The Germany international is a quality player and he’s certainly on the right track. It’ll be exciting to see how he continues to fare in red and white.