Pundit claims Arsenal now have a 24-year-old player who reminds him of Dennis Bergkamp

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Pundit Dean Ashton has now claimed that Arsenal midfielder Kai Havertz reminds him of Dennis Bergkamp in a lot of ways.

Ashton was speaking on talkSPORT’s ‘Premier League All Access’ podcast and mentioned some positives to Havertz’s game.

Although he admitted that the German was still lacking quality, he thought his mentality and physicality was similar to one Arsenal legend.

Of course it’s a huge compliment to be compared to an Arsenal icon like Bergkamp, and Ashton does suggest that he still thinks Havertz can come good.

He said: “Havertz is one of those you know, where he goes about his business quite quietly, but I think he’s got that Bergkamp edge in terms of mentality and physicality.

“[He’s] lacking obviously the quality, that’s for sure as yet, but you know just that, a bit bigger than you think, a bit stronger, will leave a little bit on defenders – as Dan Burn has already found out.”

Havertz did play a slightly different role for Mikel Arteta against Newcastle United on Saturday.

And although he was subject to his usual criticism, Havertz did have some good moments on the right side of Arsenal’s midfield three.

Ashton sees similarities between Havertz and Bergkamp at Arsenal

There will be Arsenal fans that are already fed up with Arsenal’s £65m summer signing, just like many pundits.

However, we are still very early days in the move, and Mikel Arteta seems so convinced that the German does have something special in his locker.

And Ashton’s comparison of certain characteristics to Bergkamp does tie in to this idea of Havertz’s untapped potential.

Like Manchester City often experienced under Pep Guardiola over the years, Arsenal will still have periods of transition in their upwards trajectory.

The signings of David Raya and Havertz may not have been anticipated to be so controversial at this point.

But Arteta and Arsenal will be convinced their their project is heading in the right direction and these changes are necessary.

Of course, one player who has taken no time to adapt is Declan Rice.

As well as boasting incredible numbers against Newcastle, the midfielder is also now being heaped with praise.