“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
In a dazzling display at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal, under the tactical prowess of Mikel Arteta, showcased their dominance against Lens in a Champions League encounter, leaving football icon Thierry Henry full of praise for the 24-year-old prodigy, Kai Havertz.
The unfolding spectacle witnessed the Gunners asserting their authority over the Ligue 1 side, rendering the outcome a near certainty by the half-hour mark. Kai Havertz, having already found the net in his previous outing, once again demonstrated his composure, setting the tone for Arsenal’s formidable performance with a 13th-minute goal. The play unfolded as Gabriel Jesus directed a header into Havertz’s path, and with finesse, he bundled the ball home from close range, utilizing the underside of Bryce Samba’s arm.
The goal spree continued as Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli each contributed to the scoreline. Havertz, not content with just scoring, played a pivotal role in the third goal, orchestrated by Saka. Winning a crucial duel from a David Raya kick, Havertz skillfully nodded the ball down into the path of Declan Rice. Despite Samba initially saving Saka’s shot well, the ever-alert Saka seized the opportunity, converting the rebound as the ball ricocheted off his legs and found the back of the net.
Havertz’s influence extended beyond scoring and assisting, as he played a significant role in a potential fifth goal just before Martin Odegaard’s halftime strike. Saka, orchestrated by Havertz, set up Martinelli in the right area, only for the Brazilian forward to fire into the side of the net. Commenting on the missed opportunity, pundit Merson lamented on Sky Sports News, stating, “It should be 5-0. 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.”
The narrative surrounding Havertz takes a positive turn, marking a notable improvement after a challenging start to his tenure at the Emirates. Acknowledging the diversity in player adaptation, Henry expressed satisfaction in witnessing Havertz finding his stride. The German international’s evident quality and growing impact hint at a promising trajectory in his journey donning the red and white colors. Excitement brews as football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate Havertz’s continued contributions and evolution within the Arsenal setup.
