Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has shared his views on Kai Havertz and how their attack has functioned under Mikel Arteta.
The German attacker has been off to a great start this season, scoring four goals in seven Premier League games this season. Havertz also popped up with a very important goal in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.
Last season, Havertz scored 13 goals in the league. Mikel Arteta has backed the former Chelsea man to hit 20 goals this campaign:
“First of all, because he’s so good, because he wants it so much and because he’s surrounded by great players around him. The fact that he’s gone through some difficult moments just made him a better player, and a great person I think.
“He certainly has all the qualities and he certainly has the ambition to [score 20 goals a season]. In the end, scoring goals sometimes are very small details and a lot of things have to go for you, but he’s got it and his mindset has changed a lot in regards to that. He certainly has ability to do it in my opinion.”
Gilberto Silva thinks Gabriel Jesus is better than Kai Havertz
Silva was with Arsenal for six seasons and won the Premier League and FA Cup. The midfielder played with Thierry Henry, one of the greatest Arsenal players of all time.
The Brazilian says when fit, Gabriel Jesus offers more to the team than Havertz:
‘Jesus has suffered a lot with injuries and that really gets in the way,’
‘You break your rhythm and you always have to start over. It’s a huge challenge for any player.
‘But injuries have had a big impact on Jesus’ loss of space, as he was out of action for a long time.
‘It also opened up space for Havertz, who played in positions where Jesus would have played. He ended up doing well there.
‘However, as a nine, Jesus has the potential to do more if he’s healthy. But Havertz came in so well that many people didn’t even think about his absences.’
Another Arsenal legend backs Brazilian star
Gabriel Jesus has had a bad run with injuries since he joined Arsenal. At Manchester City, the striker scored 14 goals and 13 goals over three seasons.
Gilberto Silva is not the only ex-Arsenal player to back Jesus, Ian Wright also weighed in on the situation:
‘Can I just say something about Gabriel Jesus because I feel the need to support him right now,’
‘I really, really do. I know there’s a feeling that we may have outgrown him but remember when Gabby came, he was a leveller, he levelled us up.
‘Arsenal are at a certain level now but we will definitely need him at some stage so I think it’s important in this moment for the Arsenal fans to support him.
‘They have to get behind him. Don’t be frustrated with the way he’s playing, he’s trying so hard at the moment and we’re going to need him.’