Arsenal opened their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a routine win over Wolves on Saturday at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s side picked up where they left off because they were sharp in front of goal and the defence was as solid as ever.
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were the men to get on the scoresheet, with Wolves boss Gary O’Neil also blown away by goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal were narrowly beaten to the Premier League title by Manchester City last season, so they are fully aware, even if the smallest of slip-ups, is going to harm up and they aren’t handing out any freebies to Pep Guardiola’s men yet.
Manchester City open their account at Stamford Bridge on Sunday against a Chelsea side that has, once again, spent heavily, but you just don’t know where they are heading.
Nonetheless, Paul Merson was impressed with the ‘relentless’ Saka against Wolves and how he keeps producing top performances.
The Hale-End star has 48 Premier League goals and 36 assists to his name at the age of just 22, as he doesn’t seem to stop being consistent on the English domestic stage.
But he isn’t the only one who has impressed Merson because Havertz was another one who starred on the opening day.
Merson admitted that he is a ‘big fan’ of the German international and how the ex-Chelsea star is a ‘special’ player, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports News (17/08/24 at 5:15 pm).
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The former double-winner with Arsenal explained why Havertz ’causes havoc’ as a number nine and the issue opposition defenders face.
‘Special’ Kai Havertz scores again
“Saka, again, just relentless, just keeps on churning out good performances,” said Merson. “Sets up the first goal for Havertz and then scores a very good goal himself.
“I am a big fan of Havertz, always have been. I think he is a special player. You put him in a team with players with good brains, because he has a very good brain as well, and you then start getting that little bit of play. Quick thinking from the players such as Saka, Odegaard and Rice’s. That’s what happens. I am a big fan. And he causes problems.
“If he drops off, then Martinelli will go and Saka will go. He causes problems. He is a bit of a nightmare for a centre-half, in my opinion. If you go in with him and you follow him, you have got pace on the flanks and if you don’t go with him, he will turn in and cause you havoc.”
Kai Havertz proving people wrong
Another game. Another Havertz goal. He sure is proving a lot of people wrong.
Some thought Havertz was going to be a ‘flop’ following his big-money transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal last summer.
But fast forward to the present and he is still scoring the goals and pushing his team closer to the Premier League title.
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The Gunners are fully aware that they need that extra edge and the summer transfer market might help, with Arsenal already securing the signing of Riccardo Calafiori.
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