Kai Havertz names Virgil van Dijk and 2 Arsenal stars as his toughest opponents in the PL
Arsenal star Kai Havertz named Virgil van Dijk, along with his teammates Gabriel and William Saliba, as the toughest opponents he's faced in the Premier League. The German attacker faced Saliba and Gabriel before moving to the Gunners when he represented Chelsea.
The pair have become a mainstay in Mikel Arteta's back four and continue to feature heavily in the first XI. Last season, the duo contributed to Arsenal enjoying the best defense in the league, with the team conceding just 29 goals and keeping 18 clean sheets.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders in the world. He's made 285 appearances across competitions for Liverpool, bagging 25 goals and 13 assists. The Netherlands international has won the Premier League and UEFA Champions League once each at Anfield, among numerous other honors.
When asked about the toughest opponents he's faced, Havertz told the Premier League's official YouTube channel (via The Boot Room):
“There are lots of good players in the Prem at the moment, Van Dijk, and I remember when I was at Chelsea, playing against Saliba and Gabriel is not nice. There are lots of good players."
Havertz will now be looking to help the Gunners overcome their recent dip in form, which has seen the club winless in their last four league outings. Once we return from the international break, Arsenal will host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates in the Premier League on November 23.
Currently, Arteta and Co. are sitting in fourth place on the table, nine points short of Van Dijk's Liverpool, who are top.
Former Manchester City star places Virgil van Dijk as the best centre-back in the Premier League over Arsenal duo
Former Manchester City star Richard Dunne believes Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk is the best centre-back in the Premier League this year. For second, he chose the Dutchman's partner, Ibrahima Konate.
When asked to pick another player in third, Dunne went with William Saliba over his Arsenal centre-back partner Gabriel. He told Gambling Zone (via Mirror):
"Certainly, Van Dijk from Liverpool. I think he's been fantastic again and is leading the pack. He looks like a player that is close to being back at his best again."
Liverpool have looked solid defensively, having conceded on just six occasions in 11 Premier League matches so far this year. They have also kept six clean sheets (the highest in the league). They recorded yet another clean sheet during the 2-0 win over Aston Villa before the international break (November 9).