Ilkay Gundogan has reserved special praise for Kai Havertz ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal, highlighting his fellow countryman’s calmness and ‘intelligence’ both on and off the pitch.
The reigning Premier League champions play host to last year’s runners-up in what promises to be an explosive contest at the Etihad and Havertz is likely to play a key role for the visitors this weekend.
Havertz has played up front in all four of Arsenal’s matches in the top flight this term, notching up two goals and an assist for the north London giants, who sit second in the table behind Pep Guardiola’s men.
And while Havertz dropped back into midfield for the Gunners’ goalless draw with Atalanta in the Europa League, with Gabriel Jesus starting up top, the German is expected to return to Mikel Arteta’s attack to face City.
Far and away the most important goal of Havertz’s career came in the 2020/21 Champions League final as Chelsea defeated City 1-0 to get their hands on the biggest prize in European club football.
However, the 25-year-old is still yet to score against Guardiola’s side in the English top flight and he will no doubt be looking to put that right in Manchester on Sunday afternoon.
Asked about Havertz ahead of the heavyweight clash, City midfielder Gundogan told Sky Deutschland: ‘Kai is a very down-to-earth and calm but also a very analytical person who is intelligent and can put certain things into perspective.
‘I think that’s something that Arteta also appreciates about him and why he plays such a central role at Arsenal.’
Gundogan was always confident Arteta would go on and become a top manager after witnessing first-hand the Spaniard’s talents as Guardiola’s assistant at City.
Asked if Arteta is someone he looks up to as a role model, Gundogan replied: ‘Mikel is a very smart person who really knows what he wants and what he has to do to achieve certain things.
‘It was clear to me when I first met him that this was the path he would take. I’m not surprised that he’s doing so well with Arsenal and that they play football at such a high level.
‘Pep’s influence is obviously very big because Mikel worked with Pep for a number of years. That’s why their style of play is very similar. That’s why this duel is perhaps more interesting than other duels.
‘He’s really doing a great job and just extended his contract a few days ago. So he’ll stay with Arsenal for a few more years and I’m sure they’ll be in contention for titles in the years to come.
‘If I could follow a similar path to Mikel in the future, that would be a stroke of luck.’
Erling Haaland has enjoyed a barnstorming start to the new season, netting nine times in City’s opening four league games, and Gundogan believes Guardiola deserves great credit for the striker’s continued development.
‘He [Haaland] has immense charisma. When you score so many goals, that aura grows even more,’ the five-time Premier League winner added.
‘He combines almost everything a top striker needs. He has a top finish – both with his feet and his head. He is tall, physically strong, can use his body and is fast.
‘I believe that in the last two years with Pep he has become even more intelligent in his decision-making and in the way he plays. He has taken a clear step forward in that respect.
‘You can’t ask for much more from a striker and in the end the goals speak for themselves.
‘To score nine goals in the first four games is an incredible number of goals.’
After just one year with La Liga giants Barcelona, Gundogan secured a return to the Etihad over the summer – and Oasis star Noel Gallagher reached out to the German after the move was confirmed.
‘Noel Gallagher sent me a text message and was very happy that I came back,’ he explained.
‘He also sent me a very nice and friendly message when I decided to leave a year ago. So the message was just as nice when I came back.
‘I hope that I can get tickets for next year, they are very popular right now. But for Manchester it is of course something extremely special.’
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