‘Unbelievable’… Mikel Arteta thought 24-year-old Arsenal player was absolutely crucial against Liverpool

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has now been heavily praising a forward who excelled in last night’s seismic win against Liverpool at the Emirates.

Since they returned from their training camp in Dubai, Arteta’s side haven’t dropped a point, and they’ve now gained three from Liverpool.

And although it won’t be too enjoyable to see Manchester City return to the top of the table as a result, if they win their two games in hand, it’s progress nonetheless.

In truth, it was a must win for Arsenal if they had any designs on bettering their second placed finish last season.

And it obviously must have been a blow when Gabriel Jesus picked up an injury in the lead up to the crucial game.

As a result, and as he did in the FA Cup tie at the Emirates, Kai Havertz spearheaded Arsenal’s eleven.

The German was diligent throughout, executing Arteta’s tactical plan superbly, even if he never looked like scoring.

And it certainly wasn’t a surprise that Arteta reserved some heavy praise for Havertz after the game.

Mikel Arteta delighted with Arsenal forward Kai Havertz against Liverpool

Arteta was speaking at his press conference after the game and suggested that Havertz is a player ready-made for such an occasion.

The Arsenal manager was initially delivering some well deserved praise to Gabriel Martinelli too, who also executed his role to perfection.

Arteta said: “I think he [Martinelli] looks again really confident, really sharp, he was a real threat today not only for the goal that he scored and how intuitive and cheeky and streetwise he was to do what he did, but as well Leo [Trossard]. 

“I think Kai was unbelievable playing as a nine, it was a game that I thought he was going to fit in the same way Jorginho, you need big performances to beat this kind of teams, I think all of them were at their best today.”

Of course, this kind of talk will be music to Arsenal fans’ ears.

It hasn’t always gelled for Arsenal going forward this season, but Arteta’s side really targeted Liverpool’s weaknesses on Sunday.

Both Havertz and Martin Odegaard were dragging Liverpool’s centre-backs out of position, it all came together.

That being said, it shouldn’t be a surprise that one of the best players in the world is now considering a move to Arsenal.