GUNN-HO HERO
Kai Havertz proving doubters wrong as Arsenal star’s incredible Emirates stat emerges after goal against PSG
German is firing spectacular answers to all sort of questions, including over his best position
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KAI HAVERTZ has buried his critics with a jaw-dropping stat.
The striker led Arsenal's 2-0 defeat of Paris Saint-Germain by scoring for a SIXTH successive game at the Emirates.
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Only Robin Van Persie has done it more times in a row - seven in 2011-12 - immediately before the Dutchman joined Manchester United.
And Havertz's brave header in Tuesday's Champions League win showed he's become a stand-out star with one of the season's most incredible individual transformations.
Bought from Chelsea as a £65million midfielder in July 2023, he suddenly looks the natural centre-forward Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta has long craved.
Havertz and Bukayo Saka struck at the peak of Arsenal's impressive first-half superiority against PSG.
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And the way the German leapt to beat PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma even had shades of an old-fashioned British targetman - far removed from the player who flickered in and out of games and was such an erratic finisher, especially for Chelsea.
Arteta himself raved about the 25-year-old after his dynamic leading of the line.
The Spaniard told Amazon Prime: "He has been unbelievable.
"His football brain, the way he understands space, his timing, he brings people together.
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"His work ethic is incredible and he is a real threat around the box. He is one of our main players at the moment."
The Gunners now have four points from two Champions League games, without conceding a goal.
Watch Chelsea icon Frank Lampard leave Amazon Prime Video pundits stunned with brutal put down of Arsenal pair
Arsenal ratings vs PSG as Havertz makes striker spot his own... but Calafiori shows chinks in his armour
KAI HAVERTZ and Bukayo Saka sent Arsenal to a deserved victory borne of first-half dominance.
Paris Saint-Germain did hit the bar and the post as they improved after the break in this Champions League tie.
But Emirates chief Mikel Arteta will mostly be delighted with his side's latest solid display in Europe's top club competition.
Here's how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners at the Emirates on Tuesday.
DAVID RAYA – 7
Was perhaps busier than he usually is at home.
Helplessly watched a Nuno Mendes effort smack his far post and stood firm to deny Achraf Hakimi at his near post.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
A frantic display, one that had more shaky moments than good. Kept busy by Hakimi and was done for pace on a few occasions but recovered well.
A mistake early in the second half almost gave PSG a way back into the game. Needs to iron out these errors from his game, particularly when he is so dangerous in attack.
However, he was playing at right-back for the first time in his career after the break.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Did not have much to do. A stray pass early on could have been costly but other than that another reliable and strong performance.
GABRIEL – 7
Sprayed some nice passes about from deep but this was a stress-free night’s work compared to the Premier League.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Just how on earth does Ben White get back in this side at right back? Another immaculate display from a man who seemingly has it all in defence and attack.
Well, White may well get his chance after Timber was subbed off at half-time.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Solid as a rock and building a real partnership with Partey in midfield. Had a chance to drive forward just before the half hour mark but his pass to Saka was cut out.
THOMAS PARTEY – 8
So consistent at the moment, something Arsenal fans have not seen from the Ghanaian midfielder in a long time owing mostly to injury.
Made some crucial interceptions and showed real composure playing out from deep.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 8
One of Arsenal’s most important players right now. Since his red card at Man City, he has notched a goal and an assist – the latter here for Havertz to open the scoring with a perfectly-timed cross.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
After an early shot over the bar from a trademark cut inside, the England international had a slight drop off in influence before his scuffed free-kick flew in untouched from out wide.
Still, he gave Mendes a torrid time at left-back. Even PSG manager Luis Enrique watched on at times in awe inside his technical area.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
A quiet night for the Brazilian following his first goal since March against Leicester, which may have been down to a big collision with Gianluigi Donnarumma in the first few minutes.
Should have made it 3-0 with a volley inside the box after the break but it was straight at Donnarumma. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
KAI HAVERTZ – 9
Brave and brilliant to head in from Trossard’s teasing cross, despite the onrushing lump that is Donnarumma trying to take his head off.
Almost had an assist too with a cute lay-up for Martinelli in the box. The striker-midfield debate should be over – Havertz is a top-class centre forward.
SUBS:
JAKUB KIWIOR (TIMBER, 45) – 7
Did what was expected of him at left-back. Produced a good recovery tackle on Kang-in Lee in the box.
MIKEL MERINO (PARTEY, 64) – 7
Finally, a debut for the Spaniard. Some neat touches under pressure, slotting in seamlessly next to Rice.
GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD, 74) – 6
Looked desperate to impress having struggled for starts so far and that looks to be working against him – things just aren’t clicking.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (SAKA, 92) – N/A
But suddenly it's Havertz at the other end who is making the difference.
Now, on Saturday, he has what appears a dream opportunity to equal Van Persie's record of netting seven matches in a row at the Emirates.
Third-placed Arsenal are at home to sieve-like Southampton.
The newly-promoted Saints have let in 12 goals in picking up just one point from their first six games.
A goal would also take Havertz ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor (2007-08) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2019), who matched his six trick.
Few would have bet on Havertz achieving his current feat at the start of the season.
Now few would bet against him equalling RVP's landmark figure.
New Champions League format is a snorefest
By Dan King
UEFA sold the idea of expanding the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams, with each playing eight games instead of six in the opening phase, as a way of creating more competitiveness and excitement.
The biggest clubs would have two matches against their peers, rather than having to wait until the knockout stage to meet.
The smaller clubs would meet teams of a similar level twice and have a chance of tasting victory that was so hard to achieve if you were the bottom seed in a group of four.
Ignoring for a moment the fact that the real motivation was the simple equation of more games = more money, the theory itself already looks flawed.
None of the matches between European giants has delivered a compelling contest yet.
And why would they? At the start of the long season with more matches in it, why would any team with ambitions to win things in the spring, go out all guns blazing in the autumn?
Especially when they know they have six games NOT against big sides to make sure they accrue enough points to qualify at least for the play-off round (and even more games).
There is even less jeopardy than before.
Read the full column on the Champions League format fail and why everyone - including YOU - needs a rethink.
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