“The way he presses and torments his opponent is crazy. He gives Arsenal a very different and unique dimension whenever he’s on the pitch, he is Arteta”s secret weapon”- Manchester United Legend Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Arsenal’s £280k-p/w star player’s pressing ability- Not Rice, Not Saka and not Jorginho
“The way he presses and torments his opponent is crazy. He gives Arsenal a very different and unique dimension whenever he’s on the pitch, he is Arteta”s secret weapon”- Manchester United Legend Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Arsenal’s £280k-p/w star player’s pressing ability- Not Rice, Not Saka and not Jorginho
This season, Arsenal has been impressing fans and pundits alike with their strong defense, even though there have been some doubts about their attacking abilities. In a recent interview, legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson praised Arsenal’s defensive strength and singled out Kai Havertz as a key player who has contributed to their success.
Havertz, only 24 years old, has become essential to Arsenal’s defensive tactics, particularly with his pressing game. His recent standout performance in Arsenal’s 4-1 win against Newcastle United highlighted his versatility, as he not only scored goals but also provided assists while playing in a central role.
Despite a setback in the Champions League earlier in the week, Arsenal bounced back impressively against Newcastle, showing tight defensive play and limiting their opponent’s attacking chances. Ferguson noted Arsenal’s relentless pressing, comparing it to top teams like Tottenham and Liverpool.
Former player Owen Hargreaves agreed with Ferguson, praising Havertz’s physicality and the team’s collective effort in pressing. He emphasized Mikel Arteta’s tactical focus on compactness and teamwork, which has become a trademark of Arsenal’s defensive setup.
The core of Arsenal’s defensive strength includes summer signing David Raya, defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, midfield leader Declan Rice, captain Martin Odegaard, and the versatile forward Havertz. Their coordinated efforts have made Arsenal a tough team to break down, frustrating opponents and disrupting their game plan.
This defensive solidity has already led to impressive results, such as their recent win against Liverpool, and will be crucial in upcoming tough matches, like their visit to Manchester City. If Arsenal can maintain their defensive excellence, they could pose a serious challenge for the Premier League title.
