After Arsenal FC's successful dress rehearsal for the Champions League quarterfinals against FC Bayern This Tuesday (9:00 p.m./Prime Video) in Munich, coach Mikel Arteta put his arm around Kai Havertz and pointed joyfully at the German national team player, who has been in good shape for weeks. “He definitely has a big influence on the team,” Arteta said at the press conference after the 3-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Thanks also to Havertz, they lead London They are now level on points with Liverpool FC, but with a significantly better goal difference in the Premier League standings.
The 24-year-old scored the goal to make it 2-0 and provided the assist to make it 3-0. The fans who traveled with him celebrated with loud chants in the stadium. “He enjoys the recognition of the other players, the club staff and now also our fans, that's for sure,” Arteta said afterwards with satisfaction. Havertz will be back in the game against the struggling Bavarians. He will almost certainly be in the starting lineup.
Havertz scored the “best goal” of Tuchel's coaching career
The former Leverkusen player has had an impressive development in north London. When he moved from local rivals Chelsea to runners-up Arsenal last summer, his enthusiasm was limited. Havertz scored Chelsea's 2021 Champions League victory with his goal. “Kai perhaps scored the best goal of my coaching career,” said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, recalling their time together at Chelsea. “He's a great guy, he has a great character and he's a great team player. I am happy for him because he is getting the recognition he deserves.”
But he never really imposed himself at Stamford Bridge. Seven goals in 35 games last season was not what the Blues expected. Arsenal fans were also upset that the city's unpopular western league rival was helped by the purchase of Havertz, because Chelsea had to urgently offload players after unprecedented spending under new owners to avoid violate financial rules. Fair play. On top of that, some former Chelsea professionals had disappointed at Arsenal, including Jorginho, who now provided the assist on Havertz's goal against Brighton.
Havertz stands out after moving to Arsenal
Arteta, however, recognized the potential of the young German attacker and now sees it confirmed after a mixed initial phase. Since Havertz moved from midfield to the top, things have been going well. “I think his overall performance was really good,” the coach said, drawing a tentatively positive conclusion. “And now his goal involvement numbers are really high.” Most recently, Havertz scored five goals and set up four in seven league games. “He is thriving, regardless of whether there are fans or not,” Tuchel said, “we have to look after him.”
When Havertz scored the late winner in the Premier League match against Brentford FC a month ago, Mikel Arteta aptly summed up the event. “If someone had told me two or three months ago that the entire stadium would passionately sing a song about him, it would have been hard to believe. But that happens to good people and exceptional players,” he stated. Spanish Coach. “People see how he plays for the team and get involved. It's impossible not to love him.”
National coach Julian Nagelsmann, who had meanwhile experimented with Havertz at left back, is also impressed and trusts the 24-year-old in attack. “I think he brings a component that we wouldn't have much of otherwise,” Nagelsmann said before the friendly match. DFB-Eleven against France two weeks ago in ZDF. “That's just speed in depth.” Havertz scored the second goal to make it 2-0 and helped ignite new euphoria ahead of the next European Championship at home. It is very possible that he as English The soccer champion enters the tournament. Maybe also as another Champions League winner?