Neville insists Havertz is no Firmino as Arsenal role sparks Sky Sports row

Gary Neville rejected Jamie Carragher’s comparison between Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino during a heated live debate on Sky Sports.

The discussion took place before Havertz scored a spectacular goal in Arsenal’s match against Chelsea, with the Germany international’s role in Mikel Arteta’s side becoming the focus of a sharp exchange between the former Manchester United and Liverpool players.

Havertz, 27, played a key part in Arsenal’s Premier League title success last season. He had also kept Viktor Gyokeres, who cost £63.5m, out of the starting line-up during the early stages of the current campaign.

Neville, 51, had backed Arsenal to retain their Premier League title but argued that Havertz did not pose the same threat as Firmino, who helped Liverpool compete at the top of the English game alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

“I think having Havertz in the front line means the two centre-backs can move a little towards his side,” Neville said.

“Havertz is a good player, he’s a very good-performing player, but he’s not going to frighten you greatly.”

Carragher, 48, immediately challenged that assessment by referring to Firmino’s partnership with Salah.

“That didn’t stop Mohamed Salah playing with Firmino,” said the former Liverpool defender.

Neville then objected to what he considered an unfair dismissal of Firmino’s qualities.

“No, no, no. Please, please, please, please don’t underestimate Firmino in terms of being a great player, by the way,” Neville replied.

Carragher attempted to clarify the point he was making, adding: “In terms of scoring goals.”

But Neville insisted Firmino had offered far more than his finishing statistics.

“He was amazing in the way he was a match for Mane and Salah, that was necessary,” he said.

Carragher then questioned why Havertz could not develop into a similar type of forward.

“So why can’t Havertz be that type of player?” he asked.

Neville remained unconvinced, responding: “I don’t think Havertz is as good as Firmino in any way.”

The debate came shortly before Havertz made his mark in the match against Chelsea. He levelled the score after Morgan Rogers had put Chelsea ahead with a close-range finish, before producing a fine piece of skill involving Martin Ødegaard to help put the Gunners in front.

Havertz had already scored during Arsenal’s opening-season victory over newly promoted Coventry City the previous month. His latest contribution added to a record of 45 Premier League goals in 166 appearances.

Firmino, by comparison, scored 82 goals in 256 Premier League matches during his Liverpool career.

The contrasting assessments of the two forwards prompted a strong reaction on air, with Neville defending Firmino’s overall influence while Carragher argued that Havertz could potentially grow into a comparable role. The discussion has also become a subject for further debate among supporters on the Kooora forums.