KAI HAVERTZ was at the centre of a heated row on Sky Sports – before going on to bag a stunning goal in Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea.
The striker, 27, played a key role in the Gunners clinching the Premier League title last season.
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And Havertz cancelled out former Arsenal transfer target Morgan Rogers’ early opener with a long range strike.
Before getting his name on the scoresheet, the German was compared to Liverpool icon Roberto Firmino by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
The praise sparked a shock on-air row at the Emirates Stadium with colleague Gary Neville.
The Manchester United legend, who has tipped Arsenal to defend their crown, said: “I think having Havertz up front means the centre-backs can afford to edge over to his side a little bit more.
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“Havertz is a good player, he’s a very good performer, but he’s not going to frighten the life out of you.”
Ex-Liverpool defender Carragher replied: “It didn’t stop Mo Salah with Firmino.”
Neville, 51, berated his colleague by claiming: “No, no, no. Please, please, please, please don’t disrespect Firmino in terms of what a player he was by the way.”
Carragher, trying to back up his argument, responded: “In terms of goalscoring.”
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But Neville added: “He was unbelievable in the way in which he was a foil for [Sadio] Mane and Salah, it was essential.”
Carragher, 48, then asked: “So why can’t Havertz be that kind of player?”
Neville brutally stated: “I don’t think Havertz is as good as Firmino in any way, shape or form.”
Havertz has been keeping £63.5million man Viktor Gyokeres out of the Arsenal starting line-up in the early stages of the campaign.
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And he was also on target during the Gunners’ season-opening win over newly-promoted Coventry last month.
Havertz has now scored 45 Premier League goals in 166 outings, while Firmino was on target 82 times in 256 appearances.