Jamie Carragher has been proven right about Kai Havertz following Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
After going 1-0 down early doors to the Blues via a goal from new signing Morgan Rogers, the Gunners replied with goals from Havertz (25') and Martin Ødegaard (50') to keep their perfect start to the season alive. Mikel Arteta's side are now level with Manchester City on nine points from the opening three matches of the season and only trail them on goal difference.
It was Havertz's solo run and finish that paved the way back into the match for the hosts when momentum was starting to shift in their direction after a bright start from the visitors. The German international might've had a slight stroke of fortune with his effort having gone between the legs of Maxence Lacroix, but take nothing away from the finish being buried into the bottom right corner to push his side on their way to three points.
Carragher Called It
Prior to Havertz really coming into form at Arsenal, the club was still very much in the market for a natural number nine striker. For having come close in the title race for several seasons and falling just short, that seemed, on paper, to be the one missing puzzle piece for Arteta.
His goal against Chelsea was already Havertz's third of the season, coming off the heels of his seven goals and five assists last season as Arsenal won the Premier League title.
After his goal in the Chelsea win and strong outing, a clip of Carragher speaking about the German international and Arsenal's striker situation, prior to signing Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP in July of 2025, has resurfaced on social media and done the rounds.
While speaking on a Sky Sports segment prior to last season, Carragher predicted that Havertz would play over whichever striker Arsenal signed, which turned out to be Gyökeres:
"I think...We all know Arsenal want to sign a striker, don't we? This striker is the answer to all their problems. I don't think that striker will be the answer to their problems. And I think whoever that striker is, eventually in the season, will end up being on the bench, and Havertz will play instead of him."
A Fully Fit Havertz The Ultimate Solution?
For a while at the beginning of last season, Arteta had to do without Havertz as he recovered from a significant knee injury sustained in the opening match against Manchester United. To be fair to the Swedish international, he did tally 21 goals and 3 assists across all competitions last season, but Arteta has a clear preference in his preferred starting eleven to play Havertz.
With the German attacker's ability to do defensive tracking-back work, lead the high press, and show spatial creativity, as seen in his clever dummy that led to Ødegaard's winner against Chelsea. It's not to say that Gyökeres doesn't also possess those abilities, but as Carragher alluded to, Havertz has the profile that works right now for Arsenal, and his prediction ahead of last season has come to fruition.
