A recent discussion on Sky Sports turned contentious as analysts Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher debated the performances of Arsenal's Kai Havertz and Liverpool's Roberto Firmino. The conversation intensified ahead of the Arsenal vs. Chelsea match, focusing on the attacking capabilities of the Gunners.

Neville staunchly defended Firmino, emphasizing his irreplaceable role during Liverpool's peak years. He stated, "Please do not disrespect Firmino. He is a top-class player. In how he supported Mane and Salah, he was an essential factor." Neville argued that while Havertz puts in significant effort, he has never reached Firmino's caliber.

According to Neville, Arsenal's attack would be much more formidable with a true striker, like Julian Alvarez or Vinicius Junior, both of whom Arsenal pursued in the summer. He believes that having a genuine forward would create more space and scoring opportunities for Bukayo Saka, rather than forcing him to contend with opposing defenders alone.

Carragher countered by noting that Firmino's presence did not hinder Mohamed Salah's impressive performances, suggesting that Havertz could fulfill a similar role. However, Neville maintained his stance, asserting, "I do not think Havertz is as good as Firmino in any aspect." He views Firmino as a unique player capable of connecting and sacrificing for his teammates, a trait that Havertz has yet to fully replicate.

Throughout his time at Liverpool, Firmino scored 111 goals in 362 appearances and won both the Champions League and Premier League titles. After leaving Anfield in 2023, the Brazilian striker joined Al-Ahli and currently plays for Al-Sadd in Qatar, redefining the role of the 'false nine' in the Premier League.