Kai Havertz- arguably the most unique profile in world football, is quickly becoming an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side…
In today’s video, I provide an in-depth tactical analysis, covering:
1. Kai Havertz’ evolving role, how it has been simplified over time, and how the structure he is currently playing under is perfect for his play-style. Part of this reason is due to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard’s increasing zones of influence, part of it is Kai himself…
2. The ‘Big-Space’ set up (as I call it), allows the Gunners to by-pass the second phase of play, and directly access Kai Havertz, who can dominate his space
3. The German’s relationship with Gabriel Jesus: an increasingly vertical and fluid partnership, as seen against Luton Town in Arsenal’s 3-4 win at Kennelworth Road on Tuesday night. Combine the pair with Gabriel Martinelli, you have a dynamic that has massive potential.
Arsenal went top of the league by five points last night, compounding their advantage over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who play tonight, away at Bramall Lane, against Sheffield United. Arteta’s men also went 6 points above Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, who will be looking to respond against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
This channel covers the whole Premier league, the football or soccer world, and so much more.
Including Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou, Manchester United, Eric Ten Hag, Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino, Brighton, De Zerbi, Chris Wilder, Newcastle United, Eddie Howe, Brentford, West Ham, Wolves (who beat Kompany’s Burnley 1-0 the other night), Gary O’Neil, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Bournemouth, Everton, Sean Dyche, and more!
20 Comments
Great to see you back. Keep up the consistency and you’ll blow up. Videos are too high quality not to🔥
Massive credits to Arteta and his coaching staff. Even Hansi Flick and Tuchel can't figure out what to do with Havertz
I was never one of those Kai haters! I always had faith and look at him now! I love it!! Come on Super Cobra Kai!!!!
Great analysis, mate. Cheers!
We now see Arteta plans coming to fruition, really enjoying Arsenal more measured approach to games
I am seeing your video for the first time. I enjoyed watching. But if you could add subtitles, and if you could tweak the color of the text when explaining images, that’d be great!
Good job 👍
Called this after the Man U match, Kai can’t stop
while I 100% agree about the positive dynamic as a second striker, the midfield feels far more unsettled. Ideally I'd enjoy Partey Rice Odegaard with Kai as a weapon off the bench but rumors say Partey is outbound. Plus he hasn't been healthy in some time now. I'd obviously opt to start Kai > Jorginho. I guess this is why bringing in a midfielder is top priority in January. thoughts on Kai as an attacking asset but midfield ghost (at times)? Is inverted Zinny supposed to be counterbalancing this? (Can't wait to see a healthy Timber)
I see Havertz and I click. My favorite player ever.
awesome video again
Really hope that Jesus doesn't get injured again cause I definitely feel like the dynamic of him and Havertz is miles better than any other striker option we have
Great video brother. As a chelsea, i was soo annoyed we sold him especially under a manager like poch.
Harvey, thanks for this 👍
Hi Harvey, I like this video and some of what you mentioned are in line with what I thought about your confusion on why weren't we utilizing the true 8 in Odegaard in the second phase. I think we saw that again against Luton and was so simple all along: Kai Lukas Havertz.
Kai has a very beautifully awkward profile to be either of the many roles attributed to him. But I have always found him getting into this team is much more about the other unique profile, Jesus, rather than the commonly believed Rice. Making it short to go back to your question in the previous video, with Kai, Jesus and Martin (and Rice): Havertz can fill the predatory figure in the box Jesus couldn't on a same level. Jesus can be the extra body to help on our dominant right side to let Saka be Saka. Jesus here facilitates on at least a similar level to what Odegaard offers there but given the pull of their main positions, Jesus's involvement, not only draws attention of bodies who were already torn between Saka & Kai, but also frees up space in the most locked down area behind the box, 14. Where it in turn frees up for Odegaard to run into.
This couldn't be achieved with Xhaka, Vieira or Rice in the left 8, or in fact with a not fully "on" Havertz. Kai has changed for the better, which has changed the dynamics of the team, which has helped Kai to show how he's getting better! Now he chooses the half spaces better than any player I have seen here. He makes runs with conviction, sth that both draw at least two bodies (a consequence of the intelligently picked target spaces) and gives a message to our playmakers to make the pass. I love how he doesn't shout to ask for the ball too, I had seen people say he hides because of this, but I thought it was about how he made the runs, how hesitant he used to be. A team of properly coached smart playmakers should prefer a silent relentless runner like Kai. Love how things are unfolding. It's quite beautiful.
I also have some thoughts on Raya for the same topic but it's already too long a comment and I'm afraid of how toxic it is replied to, to talk positively about what he adds to our attack.
First time watching one of your videos man and this was a fantastic tactical break down, got my sub
Hey Harvey, I love your videos, and would love them even more if you could adjust your pronounciation of GJ9 to ‘Jayzus’ not ‘Hayzus’. You are pronouncing it like Spanish, when he belongs to a Portuguese speaking people
All I want this Xmas is Kai scoring regularly!!
When Havertz was signed i was extremely happy because not only does add young talent to the squad but also weakens rivals like Chelsea and we got him for a lower fee than Chelsea payed for him. People failed to realize that he was called a talent for a reason. Honestly Kai Havertz has a potential ceiling a little just below Bukayo Saka
I'm inquiring; how does Kai play the LCM yet he's always in the box? Is it because zinny plays there?
Proper toff this lad.