Mikel Arteta has expressed his admiration for Arsenal star Kai Havertz.
Kai Havertz made by far his most important contribution as an Arsenal player so far against Brentford on Saturday evening.
The German was introduced from the bench in the 79th minute at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the Gunners in dire need of a goal, as they had so far failed to make a breakthrough against the Bees’ well-organised defence.
In the 89th minute, Havertz arrived at the far post to meet a Bukayo Saka cross and divert it into the back of the net, securing all three points for the north London club, sending Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table, and sending their travelling fans into raptures.
This was not only a big moment for the club, but a huge moment for Havertz himself, too. The 24-year-old has struggled to produce his best since his £65 million arrival at the Emirates Stadium from Chelsea, in the recent summer transfer window.
Havertz has been the target of plenty of criticism so far this season, and has looked short on confidence. This all-important goal needs to be a watershed moment for the player. He needs to take a boost from it and use it as a platform to build a run of solid form on.
There is no doubting the player’s raw talent. Havertz is technically gifted, a supreme athlete, and capable of stepping up in big moments.
Mikel Arteta lauds Kai Havertz application
Mikel Arteta was clearly delighted on behalf of the former Chelsea man after his goal against the Bees. The manager made a point of marching Havertz over to the Arsenal supporters who were all singing his name.
After the match, as quoted by The Mirror, Arteta said of Havertz, “if things come easy, you don’t value them. If things came easy then he wouldn’t have got the reception he got today with everybody hugging him and telling him how much we love him. It’s for a reason, it’s because of the way he behaves in difficult situations.”
“He’s an example for all of us to do what you have to do when you have difficulties. It’s a great example for the team. We cannot be happier that a big player like him wins the game for the team.”
Given how much Arsenal spent on securing his services, they need Havertz to come good. He has an important role in the side available to him, as the heir to the left-eight midfield berth previously held by Granit Xhaka. Arteta will be desperate to see Havertz nail down this position and make it his own.
It is certainly a positive sign that, as Arteta suggests, Havertz’s attitude, professionalism, and application have not been at all lacking, despite his recent struggles on the pitch. The only way to recover form is through hard work and the courage to keep pushing and taking risks on the pitch. It seems that Havertz has been more than willing to put such work in.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
