Mikel Arteta explains why Kai Havertz's Arsenal struggles have been a good thing

27 November 2023 , 08:58

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Mikel Arteta explains why Kai Havertz's Arsenal struggles have been a good thing

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta thinks the "love" shown to Kai Havertz after his late winner for Arsenal on Saturday was because of his struggles since joining the club.

After coming off the bench late on, the £65million signing headed home in 89th minute to give the Gunners a 1-0 win at Brentford. It was just the second time Havertz has scored for the club in 20 appearances, after moving across London from Chelsea.

Indeed, the German international has been criticised this season for his perceived lack of impact in an Arsenal shirt. And the relief of the player and his teammates was evident afterwards as the visitors celebrated their win.

The result sent Arsenal back top of the Premier League after Manchester City and Liverpool could only draw earlier in the day, and Arteta praised Havertz afterwards for overcoming a difficult period: "If things come easy, you don’t value them," he said.

"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."

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Havertz has been deployed both as a central striker and out wide since joining Arsenal. And his manager paid tribute to the versatility of the 24-year-old, implying Havertz - who replaced Gabriel Martinelli after 79 minutes - was happy to do whatever it took to help the team.

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Mikel Arteta celebrates with Kai Havertz after Arsenal beat Brentford (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"A player that can play in different positions needs a lot of qualities to do that," he added. "Then that he puts his head down and drives the team. He does that in any position I ask him."

Havertz spent three years at Chelsea after moving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020. And despite an ultimately underwhelming stint with the Blues, he cemented himself in club folklore in his debut season by scoring the winner against Manchester City in the Champions League final.

Arteta now faces a decision as to whether to put Havertz back in the starting line-up for the game with Lens on Wednesday. A win will guarantee top spot in the group for Arsenal, and a place in the last 16 of the Champions League,

Fraser Watson