Joe Cole insists Kai Havertz has been a 'great signing' for Arsenal and wishes the former Chelsea star stayed at Stamford Bridge last summer.
The two London giants are set to lock horns at the Emirates on Tuesday, with Arsenal top of the Premier League after beating Wolves 2-0 at the weekend.
Chelsea, meanwhile, head into the London derby off the back of their bitter FA Cup exit, having narrowly lost 1-0 to Manchester City in Saturday's semi-final at Wembley.
Havertz, who has nine goals and five assists in the Premier League this campaign, will hope to keep pressure on title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool by inspiring the Gunners to victory against his former club on Tuesday.
Heaping praise on the Germany star, who joined Arsenal for Β£65million in the summer, Cole urged that Havertz is a 'brilliant' footballer and claimed his best position is at centre forward.
'I always liked him as a No 9. He was a brilliant player for Chelsea,' the TNT Sports pundit said.
'He came in with a massive transfer fee, played in multiple positions and ultimately scored the winner in the Champions League final (in 2021). I've always liked him and I didn't want to see him go.
'He's gone there (Arsenal) and he's done really well, found his feet. He's a box player - whether he plays as a No 9 or a false 9 - he's got a lovely instinct to score goals and has that weight of pass and calmness.'
Cole claims Havertz gave Chelsea a focal point in attack, similar to several iconic Blues strikers who came before him, such as Didier Drogba, Diego Costa and Fernando Torres.
Current Chelsea No 9 Nicolas Jackson, who arrived at Stamford Bridge for Β£30m last summer, missed a catalogue of chances at Wembley on Saturday and received just 4/10 in Mail Sport's post-match player ratings.
Continuing to wax lyrical about Havertz, Cole added: 'He's one of those players I'd have loved to stay at Chelsea. He's a cracking player.
'When he was playing that role for Chelsea, he was synonymous with strikers of the last 20 years like Drogba, Torres, Costa. Fans are used to having that. I think he did a great job for Chelsea and he's been a great signing (for Arsenal).'
hussein_dakik
0
God punish you and Kai.
he's on a brace π€£π€£
Bashirdgiant
0
God punish you and Kai.
perebi
1
this is mind game, he want arsenal to lose for Chelsea by using Kai harvetz to play our midfield but it will not work for your plan because we're going to use Thomas partey, rice and odegaard for our midfield
duabnsty
0
Cole is right
kehemosuy
1
Chelsea is a great club destroyed by international politics and British government haters
Niudempu
3
Kai havertz is one of the best players arsenal is having right now
itsdjepic
0
your king has less goals compared to the useless Jackson..that means both are ultimately useless to sum thm
Jackson is more usssseless. Kai 100% better and you know it. Stop deceiving yourself.
itsdjepic
0
Arsenal didn't play in Europe for many years but today they are there, though they have nothing to show for it. Chelsea missed European football for a season and everybody shouting Chelsea Wil never play in Europe again, are you real
We played in Europe but not UCL. Rather Europa League
Papceiklr
2
Is it not because of Artetas patince that Kai havertz is now a player everyone admire? he took time and everyone criticized him, nobody was talking about his goods apart from arteta now they are their talking nonsense just appreciate arteta and his coaching staff for havertz now
Amagooner
1
the person that write this Article need cane... is writing this article via anus...
why do you guys find it difficult to express your opinions without using offensive words?
Bemadiklpr
0
how much goals haverts has
How many goals & assists does he have ( Havertz) ? According to the above story he has nine goals+ five assists, not a bad return for a player coming from a malfunctioning joke of a club.
wadcinstuz
0
Chelsea were lucky to stay up this season, its between Chelsea and Man Utd for the worsed team in England,,,, dont even talk about playing Europe because Chelsea will never play there again
Arsenal didn't play in Europe for many years but today they are there, though they have nothing to show for it. Chelsea missed European football for a season and everybody shouting Chelsea Wil never play in Europe again, are you real
Bibckpstz
1
Unless you have little knowledge about football,you wouldn't be arguing with Cole's statement(s).Kai has truly been ultimately a brilliant footballer clearly seen in his undropable quality in every manager's stint and time.I mean can't you even notice how Arteta fails to take him out of his first 11,that should tell you straight away what he's got that coaches don't wanna miss.I would clearly confirm to you doubters Chelsea shouldn't have shipped out both Kai and Joginho.Arsenal really benefited from our horrible planning.Like it or not if both were still with this season we wouldn't where we are right now.Its high time you stop following football blindly,watch and see how much a player contribute.
A Chelsea fan with a big brain ND bigger heart, true is ur kung-fu
wizzybbigstepper
0
they is no good striker for 30m never maybe like Jackson Fake
Yours got me off an angle I couldnβt resist ππππππππ
Vapdikrsz
1
he will score against Chealse today.up up gunners for life
zoyabklt
2
Unless you have little knowledge about football,you wouldn't be arguing with Cole's statement(s).Kai has truly been ultimately a brilliant footballer clearly seen in his undropable quality in every manager's stint and time.I mean can't you even notice how Arteta fails to take him out of his first 11,that should tell you straight away what he's got that coaches don't wanna miss.I would clearly confirm to you doubters Chelsea shouldn't have shipped out both Kai and Joginho.Arsenal really benefited from our horrible planning.Like it or not if both were still with this season we wouldn't where we are right now.Its high time you stop following football blindly,watch and see how much a player contribute.
Wozacmnpu
0
Chelsea were lucky to stay up this season, its between Chelsea and Man Utd for the worsed team in England,,,, dont even talk about playing Europe because Chelsea will never play there again
ruokmnory
1
the person that write this Article need cane... is writing this article via anus...
podamopsy
0
Stupid kiA must bench
doteiknos
1
C'mon Cole. This a very oiled Arsenal team fighting for trophies. Imagine Kai in this struggling Chelsea at 9th position. Its not as if he's cored double goals and assists.
Laabcnyz
0
πππππ we missing something here Joe
kahacdouyz
0
Medicine after death.....he's ours now....King Kai.
[image]
your king has less goals compared to the useless Jackson..that means both are ultimately useless to sum thm
kahacdouyz
1
Joe Cole is pathetic..what has Kai Havertz done ..The useless Jackson have more goals than Him..
vesacklm
2
how much goals haverts has
vesacklm
0
what is brilliant about haverts so dam bias
tikciklpz
4
havertz is far more better than Jackson... you can never compare the two...
conaemntu
1
plastic fans how can you call him useless after winning a trophy last year how many years had we taken without winning LA liga how many goals has he scored more than Jackson
malablata
4
Medicine after death.....he's ours now....King Kai.
Charlesugwu
1
Thank you Cole
Hikcdeiot
2
they is no good striker for 30m never maybe like Jackson Fake
sioabdeip
0
Lol I don't think his stats suggest he is a brilliant 9