Arsenal settled for a draw with Liverpool after a frantic 90 minutes at the Emirates.
Matchday nine was full of more drama for Mikel Arteta’s side, who were held to a 2-2 draw against Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah responded to goals from Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino, as the visitors came back twice to earn a point.
The result leaves Arsenal five points behind Manchester City and four behind Liverpool in the title race, with mixed emotions coming from the fixture.
What Kai Havertz did so well against Liverpool
In a game that was well-matched tactically, it’s difficult to ignore the fact that the hosts threw away two leading positions.
Arsenal went in at the interval ahead, with their dominating work in the first half being rewarded by a 2-1 lead.
Analysing the fixture on BBC Match of the Day 2 was pundit Micah Richards, who from a defender’s point of view, spotted something ‘interesting’ that Arteta instructed Kai Havertz to do.
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“I want to look at Havertz in possession and out of possession because, in possession he was on the right, but out of possession he was playing like a number nine here. He’s the leader in this team, he decides when Arsenal want to press.”
Richards then focused on the German’s work on the right and how it impacted those around him, both his teammates and the opposition.
“The most interesting part for me was the positions he was picking up down the right-hand side. Mac Allister doesn’t know whether to stay or whether to go, it then allows Trossard to come really deep, get on the ball and before you know it, Arsenal are out.”
Mikel Arteta has an answer for everything
Richards was impressed by what he saw from Havertz, as the striker continues to show that he has many strengths that can impact his side.
The pundit spotted a tactic that Arteta unleashed by utilising his forward’s intellect, which allowed Arsenal to threaten Liverpool on the flank without the presence of Ben White.
“It was interesting because Ben White normally plays right back and Thomas Partey was playing in there, they didn’t have the overlaps, so it was like, ‘can we overload this right-hand side?’
“This is Havertz, who is playing number nine, predominantly on the right-hand side, which caused Liverpool so many problems,” the former centre-back said.
Arteta pulled off a masterclass on the right side of the pitch by tweaking Havertz’s role, benefitting Saka and Thomas Partey in the process to get the better of Liverpool in the first half.
The second half saw the game open up more and the activity on the right dull down although, the success of the first 45 minutes showcased a fresh approach that brought the Gunners joy.
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