Kai Havertz has now had his say on one thing that Arsenal supporters do in his honour.
Kai Havertz is now a popular figure at the Emirates Stadium.
This has not necessarily been the case since his initial arrival at Arsenal. There were a lot of questions asked about Mikel Arteta’s decision to prise him away from Chelsea last year, Havertz was even deemed the worst signing of the summer by some.
He did not get off to the best of starts in North London either. As Arteta attempted to reinvent Havertz as a midfielder, it was clear that he was bereft of confidence and uncomfortable in this unfamiliar role.
It was not until he was installed as a striker, around the turn of the year, that he truly found his feet at Arsenal and began to impress on a consistent basis.
However, he was able to open his account for the Gunners from the penalty spot against Bournemouth back in September 2023.
Martin Odegaard chose to give Havertz that penalty against the Cherries, recognising that he needed something to boost his confidence.
As he found the back of the net for the first time for the Gunners, the Arsenal fans unveiled a new chant for Havertz.
Kai Havertz gives honest assessment of Arsenal chant
On the south coast that day, to the tune of ‘Waka, Waka (This time for Africa)’ by Shakira, the travelling Arsenal supporters sang:
“Tsamina mina, eh, eh,
Waka waka, eh, eh,
£60million down the drain,
Kai Havertz scores again.”
In an interview with Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports, Havertz has now shared his thoughts about the song.
Ferdinand asked: “Your song is a fan favourite now, how do you feel about it?… Do you sometimes find yourself in the shower singing along to it?”
The Arsenal forward replied: “Not really. Not my lyrics. I like the song, but not my lyrics.”
It would seem that he is not the biggest fan of the lyrics to his own chant, perhaps as they recall the criticisms that were levelled at him when he signed for the club.
New pressure on Kai Havertz
Havertz was able to prove many of his doubters wrong last season, but the Gunners need him to take a stride forward again this time around.
Unless Arteta brings in a new striker on Transfer Deadline Day, Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will battle for the right to lead the line for Arsenal this season, especially with Eddie Nketiah set to depart too.
Jesus is currently injured and it is not yet clear how long he will be out for. In any case, the Brazilian, just like Havertz, has never been the most prolific goalscorer.
There is now pressure on the Arsenal duo to prove that they can score enough goals to fire the club to a title triumph.
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