Jamie Carragher tore into Kai Havertz for wasting a superb chance to double Arsenal’s lead in the first half of their clash against Manchester City on Sunday – before the north Londoners went on to claim a massive 5-1 win with the German himself scoring the fourth.
The Gunners took on the reigning Premier League champions knowing anything less than three points would put another dent in their Premier League title bid. Rivals Liverpool had gone nine clear by beating Bournemouth on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s team enjoyed the dream start with Martin Odegaard making it 1-0 inside two minutes at the Emirates after a mistake from Manuel Akanji.
Another City mistake at the back, from stand-in goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, gave Havertz the ideal chance to double Arsenal’s advantage on 26 minutes.
But the German, with Ortega and John Stones scrambling to get back on the goalline, managed to miss the target altogether with the goal at his mercy from just 12 yards. The chance was worth 0.77xG (expected goals).
After his second-half goal, Arsenal’s top scorer is on 15 goals in 33 games but his profligacy has also cost the Gunners at times. He wasted multiple chances in the FA Cup loss to Manchester United last month, including seeing his spot-kick in the penalty shootout saved.
And Carragher said at half-time of Sky Sports’ broadcast: “Arsenal are the best, we saw this a lot last season, at winning the ball in these situations. Declan Rice’s pass for the first goal is fantastic.
“But if I see another goalkeeper play that pass… I see this every weekend in the Premier League, the reason you’re in goal is because you can’t pass that well! These straight passes, Rice is as good as anyone there.
“But that has to be the game. He HAS to score that. That’s a lack of confidence but also a lack of quality. Almost every centre-forward in the Premier League would look at a situation like that and fancy themselves to score.”
Havertz later made the game 4-1 as he cut inside and curled past John Stones after a lightning-quick counter-attack.
Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville reacted: “It’s such a big moment for him. Havertz hasn’t got much time to think about it, it’s instinctive, he knows what he’s going to do on his left foot as he cuts inside, it’s natural.
“That’s such a big moment for him. He would’ve had some regrets tonight going to bed, even if his team won, thinking that he missed those two big chances in the first half. Now he’s scored and taken the game for Arsenal.”
In a thrilling second-half, Haaland made it 1-1 with a brilliant header on 55 minutes. But the game was level for a mere 38 seconds before Thomas Partey’s deflected strike put the hosts back ahead.
And academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly put the match beyond City with his first Arsenal goal as he cut inside on his right foot in the box to make it 3-1 just six minutes later.
After Havertz’s fine finish for Arsenal’s fourth, substitute Ethan Nwaneri – still just 17 – underlined his superstar potential and rubbed salt in the wounds with an excellent curler into the far corner to complete the rout.
Arsenal’s win means the gap to league leaders Liverpool stands at six points though the Reds have a game in hand on the Gunners, which they will play against Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park a week on Wednesday.
City, meanwhile, are 15 adrift of Liverpool having also played a game more. They are on the same points as fifth-placed Newcastle and could be leapfrogged by Chelsea, who are one point behind and playing West Ham on Monday night.