'I love him': Frank Lampard raves about Arsenal star and 'special' teammate during PSG win
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Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique highlighted Arsenal’s imperious backline after Mikel Arteta’s side kick-started their Champions League campaign with a statement victory.
And, in truth, he was right to do so.
William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber were exceptional again. And, on the odd occasion that PSG did find a way through, there was David Raya operating as the most reliable last line of defence/first line of attack.
But, perhaps unsurprisingly given the role he used to play on the pitch, former Chelsea and England icon Frank Lampard was keen to highlight the performances of those at the other end in Arsenal red.
Lampard was particularly glowing in his praise for one Kai Havertz.
The man who opened the scoring with a towering header, and who’s emergence as a genuinely elite number nine something Lampard may be keen to take at least some credit for.
Frank Lampard hails Kai Havertz as Arsenal beat PSG
"This is what Kai has always had, which is a bit special. That little moment where he takes a second more and doesn’t panic,” Lampard, who brought Havertz to Stamford Bridge during his time as Chelsea manager back in 2020, tells Amazon Prime.
“Kai's awareness and execution of that kind of touch and pass has always been top class."
It was another, less elegant, side of Havertz’s game which got Arsenal off to a flyer in just the 20th minute at the Emirates.
The German has often been criticised for a lack of physicality and a rather languid style which – as Mesut Ozil can attest – frequently leads to questions over your commitment to the cause.
There could be no doubts about Havertz’ commitment as he outmuscled an onrushing Gianluigi Donnarumma and powered home a fine Leandro Trossard cross, however. For all the comparisons with Ozil and Dennis Bergkamp, this was a classic centre-forward’s goal Ian Wright or Olivier Giroud would have been proud of.
Bukayo Saka would double Arsenal’s lead shortly after, albeit rather unwittingly.
Donnarumma has committed some pretty high-profile errors in some pretty high-profile games since joining PSG from AC Milan. And Italy’s number one certainly did not cover himself in glory as Saka’s searching free-kick flashed through the penalty area and into the centre of the Parisien net.
Chelsea hero lauds Bukayo Saka as Luis Enrique pays Arsenal tribute
Lampard, meanwhile, believes the way a mature and extremely likeable player – Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was also full of praise for Saka – carries himself off the pitch is as telling as his performances on it.
"You know what's exciting? Listening to the boy, the way he speaks,” says Lampard, a two-time Champions League winner with Chelsea. “That smile and his demeanour… When he plays, it's beautiful to watch.
He does his work and then he speaks so well. I love him."
Arsenal actually looked the most likely to add to the scoreline during a second-half display in which they largely restricted PSG to half chances.
Back in form and brimming with a renewed self-confidence, Gabriel Martinelli struck a fierce volley just too close to Donnarumma following some outstanding approach play reminiscent of the very best Arsene Wenger sides.
"Our rivals tonight were much better in terms of intensity, in terms of pressure. They won every duel," Enrique sighed in his post-match press conference.
"Effectively, after the second goal Arsenal scored, they decided to defend a bit more deeply, take a fewer risks. Arsenal deserved their victory.
"Really, it's impossible to come out of a game with a positive result if you don't manage to win any duel on the pitch."
