‘He’s always there’… Darren Bent says one Arsenal player is so much better in the air than people realise

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Darren Bent has named the Arsenal player who is actually a lot better in the air than many give him credit for, following the Gunners’ win over Brentford on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s men went to the top of the Premier League table at the weekend. Goals from Declan Rice and Kai Havertz in either half gave Arsenal a 2-1 victory against the Bees.

It was certainly an eventful evening for Havertz at the Emirates. As well as getting the winner, Havertz was fortunate to not be sent off after appearing to dive in the penalty area shortly before scoring that late header.

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz better in the air than people realise

The 24-year-old has now scored four in his last four appearances in the top-flight. And there is absolutely no question that Havertz is proving a lot of people wrong and vindicating Mikel Arteta’s decision to sign him in the summer transfer window.

Understandably, many had major reservations when the Gunners signed the Germany international off the back of his underwhelming time at Chelsea. But those doubts have been silenced since.

And speaking on The Kelly and Wrighty Show, Darren Bent suggested that Havertz probably deserves even more plaudits for how good he is in the air.

“A lot of credit goes to Mikel Arteta. A lot of people questioned the signing for such big money. But he’s coming good. You see he’s a good football player. It was where do you play him. I like him when he plays false nine. At the minute, I think I’d rather have him than Gabriel Jesus down the middle. But you always know what you’re going to get from him, he’s always there or thereabouts. He’s better in the air than people give him credit for. And even if he doesn’t score, he usually gets the first credit,” he said.

Potential transfer masterstroke

It does appear that Arteta has little choice but to persist with Havertz up front. One of the only criticisms you could possibly have of Gabriel Jesus is that he simply does not score often enough.

Havertz now has only one goal less than Jesus and Eddie Nketiah combined in the Premier League this season. And he looks to be a different player to the one who looked so short of confidence while at Chelsea.

And if Arsenal go on to win the title with Havertz leading the line, you have to say that the transfer can only be described as a masterstroke.