It’s safe to say that both Ian Wright and Thierry Henry are two of the most decorated strikers in Arsenal history, players who won the fans’ hearts as well as trophies.
In 281 appearances for Arsenal, Wright scored 180 goals, a record that was bettered by Henry who netted a remarkable 228 goals in 377 games.
In all honesty, it’s hard to imagine a modern day striker ever reaching those kinds of figures again at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s current incumbents up top – Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, aren’t primarily known for their goal scoring, strikers with several other strong areas of their game.
In total, Havertz currently has 20 goals in 61 games in red and Jesus has 19 goals in 77 appearances, two players well short of the ratios above.
That being said, Wright has started to notice some Henry-like traits in Havertz’s game at Arsenal.
Ian Wright thinks Kai Havertz is starting to mirror Thierry Henry’s aura in N5
Speaking on his podcast, Wright made the bold comparison when discussing how Havertz picked up the ball and scored an extremely clutch goal against Southampton last weekend.
Arsenal had just gone behind in the game but Havertz took responsibility and instantly got the Gunners level.
READ MORE: Ian Wright has pleaded with fans to stop getting ‘frustrated’ with struggling Arsenal star
Speaking about his strike, Wright said: “Oh my god, wow, I know, that finish there. I really love him, honestly.
“You know something? He’s gold. You know when you just want that player, like when you [need] Thierry Henry back in the day.
“Thierry, when you know your star player, can just get him the ball and then he scores and you’d feel like, oh thank you, Kai.
“You know what I mean? And the way he took that, I’m just pleased to see Arsenal players getting the ball and finishing in that manner – we saw Calafiori’s goal at City.
“We saw it not going out to the wing, cutting it back and then someone tapping it in, its Kai getting it, moving it onto the left foot and bending it into the goal. You know what I mean?
“A goal that not only just takes the wind out of your opponents, because they’re doing well, Southampton, in their eyes.
“You know what I mean? But then the quality comes back through.”
Kai Havertz injury update after Germany withdrawal
Of course, amid all this praise Havertz has actually pulled out of Germany’s squad for their two Nations League fixtures this week and next.
Havertz ended his involvement because of an ankle issue, one picked up from the win over Southampton.
However, Arsenal fans can rest easy knowing that Havertz’s ankle injury is only minor, something the club aren’t ‘overly concerned’ about.
For all the reasons listed above, Havertz is now absolutely vital for Arteta, whether he’s playing the 25-year-old in midfield or up top.
That being said, Ben Foster has noticed a problem in Havertz’s game, one Wright would seemingly disagree with.
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