“Very down-to-earth and calm” - Manchester City icon Ilkay Gundogan reserves special praise for ‘intelligent’ Arsenal star ahead of face off

Manchester City midfielder IIkay Gundogan has heaped praise on Arsenal forward Kai Havertz ahead of their crunch Premier League clash this weekend. Both teams are set to face off in a top-of-the-table clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 22.

Gundogan highlighted Havertz's intelligence and technical prowess during a recent interview ahead of the mouthwatering Premier League clash this weekend. Havertz is expected to play a key role for the visitors against Manchester City. The German international has started all four of Arsenal's Premier League games this season, scoring two goals and registering one assist.

The German international is yet to score against City in the Premier League. However, he could draw inspiration from his 2021 UEFA Champions League final performance against the Citizens, where he scored the decisive goal for his former club Chelsea.

During an interview with Sky Deutschland, Gundogan said about his fellow countryman via MSN:

“Kai is a very down-to-earth and calm, but also an analytical person who is intelligent and can put certain things into perspective,” Gundogan said. “I think that’s something Arteta also appreciates about him, which is why he plays such a central role at Arsenal.”

He added:

"I think that’s something that Arteta also appreciates about him and why he plays such a central role for the Gunners."

Havertz has contributed 16 goals and eight assists in 56 games for the Gunners so far.

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IIkay Gundogan backs Mikel Arteta to succeed at Arsenal

The Manchester City midfielder has been impressed with the amount of work Gunners boss Arteta has put in with the north London giants.

The duo previously worked together at City when Arteta was the assistant manager to Pep Guardiola. Since leaving his role to take charge of the Gunners in 2019, the Spanish tactician has been able to transform the side into a formidable title contender.

When asked if he has been surprised by Arteta's success at the Emirates Stadium and if he sees him as a role model, Gundogan said:

"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."

Gundogan added:

"He [Arteta] is 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."

Arteta led his side to Premier League title challenges in the last two seasons but they fell short both times against Manchester City.