A number of Arsenal players turned in impressive performances during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Southampton.
Arsenal were dominant throughout much of their Premier League triumph against Southampton.
However, despite controlling the vast majority of possession and territory throughout the first half, Mikel Arteta’s side fell behind against the run of play after the break.
The Saints’ goal will have come as a blow to the North London club, and could have caused heads to drop. However, the visitors only held their lead for three minutes before Kai Havertz struck to bring the Gunners level.
After latching on to Bukayo Saka’s pass, the German forward still had plenty to do. He stepped into space on the edge of the Southampton penalty area and crashed an effort past the diving Aaron Ramsdale which went in off the post.
Not only did this goal get the Gunners’ comeback underway, but it also maintained Havertz’s remarkable home form. This strike meant that the former Chelsea man has now scored in seven consecutive games at the Emirates Stadium, a feat only previously matched by former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.
If Havertz finds his way onto the scoresheet again when Arsenal host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League shortly after the international break then he will claim the record outright for himself.
Troy Deeney heaps praise on Arsenal striker Kai Havertz
Not only did the 25-year-old bag a crucial goal against the south coast club but his all-round play stood out as well.
Havertz pressed and harried the Southampton players relentlessly, even battling to win duels in the dying minutes of the match. On top of that, he held the ball up well, bringing his teammates into play in the final third, and offering intelligent movement to help create spaces for others to exploit.
All of these aspects of Havertz’s performances prompted former Watford striker Troy Deeney to include the Arsenal attacker in his Premier League team of the week column for BBC Sport.
Deeney said of his display: “There’s a lot of pressure on his shoulders because people wonder whether he will score enough goals.
“He has just equalled Robin van Persie’s record for seven in seven games at Emirates Stadium – that’s no mean feat. He is growing in confidence, looks comfortable and it looks like Arsenal have a top player on their hands.”
Mikel Arteta faces Havertz injury concern
Havertz has pulled out of international duty, and will not represent Germany in their upcoming fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands.
The Gunners were hit hard in the most recent international break as club captain Martin Odegaard sustained an injury. The Norwegian playmaker remains sidelined to this day.
Therefore, Arsenal fans will be hoping that Havertz’s withdrawal from the Germany squad due to injury is in fact an extremely cautious measure and that the player will be ready to pick up where he left off for his club side when they get back in action after the international interlude.
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