Arsenal send clear message to Chelsea as Kai Havertz edges closer to remarkable milestone

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Kai Havertz was heavily involved in Arsenal’s win over Southampton as the German netted his fourth Premier League goal of the season.

Mikel Arteta is reaping the benefits of putting full trust in Havertz after a trialling start to life in North London. 

Despite it taking seven games for the 25-year-old to get off the mark in Arsenal colours last season, the manager never retracted the faith he had in the player. 

Just over a year down the line and Havertz is at the forefront of all things potent in the Gunners’ attack, adding to his tally against Southampton most recently.

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Kai Havertz in touching distance of equalling Chelsea Premier League record

By scoring in seven consecutive games at the Emirates, Havertz matched Robin van Persie’s record, telling of his hot form in front of goal right now.

Not many would have believed that the Germany international would hit such searing form for Arsenal, with the Gunners initially mocked for paying Chelsea £62.5m for the forward’s services. 

Fast forward to now and it’s Arsenal’s London rivals who will be blushing as a result of the deal, with Arteta getting the very best out of Havertz.

Such was seen against Southampton, as the 25-year-old’s goal stood for more than just Arsenal’s first of the afternoon at the Emirates. 

Having contributed to a total of 25 goals in the Premier League whilst being at Arsenal, Havertz is now just one goal or assist away from matching his record in the league at Chelsea.

At Stamford Bridge, the German contributed to 26 goals, scoring 19 and assisting seven, with him already within touching distance of matching the tally in North London.

It took Havertz only 44 appearances to reach 25 Premier League goal contributions for Arsenal, whereas it took him 91 appearances to reach 26 contributions at Chelsea.

Arteta will have Chelsea wondering what they did wrong with Havertz to not get such level out of him, with the price tag that the Gunners were once taunted over now looking like a bargain.

Mikel Arteta has got everything right with Havertz at Arsenal

When Havertz was lacking believers at Arsenal, Arteta was always there, waiting for the forward to come to life in his system.

The patience paid off as the attack is now an assured area of the squad with the former Chelsea forward at the heart of it. 

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Havertz’s form has handed Arteta the target man going forward that Arsenal were in need of prior to his arrival, taking the reins from Gabriel Jesus to oust the Brazilian from the favoured XI.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround of events for the German in North London, with Chelsea seeing first hand what could have been had his needs been met at Stamford Bridge.