Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher got into a disagreement over Arsenal striker Kai Havertz and whether he has the quality to be a Roberto Firmino-like forward.

Havertz has retained his place at the focal point of Mikel Arteta's attack at the start of the season. The versatile German attacker has played the full 90 minutes of his side's 3-0 win over Coventry City and 1-0 win against Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old is keeping Viktor Gyokeres out of the team but he's a player who can divide opinion. He had started his career as an attacking midfielder but Arteta is using him as a false nine with pacey wingers accommodating him in a three-man frontline.

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher Disagree on Arsenal's Kai Havertz

Ahead of Arsenal's encounter with Chelsea, Havertz looks set to lead the line once again against his former club. He left the Blues for the Gunners in July 2023 and has put a somewhat disappointing Stamford Bridge spell behind him.

Neville analysed Havertz ahead of that game and questioned whether he troubles opposition defenders. The Manchester United legend said on Sky Sports:

"I think having Havertz up front means the two centre-backs can afford to sort of edge over to his side a bit more because Havertz is a good player, he's a very good performer but he's not going to frighten the life out of you."

Carragher, formerly of Liverpool, pointed out how Havertz could be used similarly to how Jurgen Klopp used Firmino alongside Mohamed Salah:

"It didn't stop Mo Salah and Firmino."

Neville gave a defiant response, telling his colleague not to compare the two:

"No please don't disrespect Firmino in terms of what a player he was by the way. He was unbelievable, the way in which he was a foil for Salah and Mane, he was essential."

Havertz has come up with crucial goals since arriving at Arsenal but many don't regard him as one of the very best attackers in world football. Goals weren't Firmino's main strength and Carragher alluded to this:

"Why can't Havertz be like that?"

Neville replied:

"I don't think Havertz is as good as Firmino in any shape or form."

Firmino spent eight seasons at Anfield and wasn't a traditional number nine but rather a false nine who served as a creative anchor in a front three. The Brazilian dropped deep to allow Salah and Sadio Mane to use their pace and technical ability.

Is Kai Havertz Disrespected?

Havertz has spent much of his Premier League career having to prove critics wrong. He struggled to live up to expectations after joining Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen for £75.8m in September 2020.

The German did enjoy several highs in west London, including scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the 2021 Champions League final. He's gone up a gear since joining Arsenal for £65m in June 2023, suiting Arteta's system.

Carragher predicted that Havertz would be Arteta's starting centre-forward despite Gyokeres' arrival last season. That proved correct and the Germany international has been a key man, scoring another Champions League final goal in last season's defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

There are plenty of similarities between Havertz with Firmino but clearly Neville doesn't think the Gunners man possesses the same qualities. The Brazilian is regarded as one of the best forwards in Premier League history and a unique player who did the hard work in a formidable frontline.