Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta highlighted that Kai Havertz’s aerial presence in the box was one of the reasons why the Gunners signed him from Chelsea last summer.
The Germany international has had a difficult start to his career with the north London giants but he has made a couple of vital goal contributions for the club.
Havertz provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s winner versus Manchester City last month and yesterday, he scored the only goal against Brentford.
The attacker came off the bench for the London derby and made the difference with a back post header from a lovely Bukayo Saka cross in the 89th minute.
Speaking after the hard-fought win, Arteta admitted that Havertz was signed for exactly the situation at Brentford where they were up against a low defensive block.
He told Arsenal.com: “Yes, absolutely yes. Against this block, and against teams that defend the box like this, you need this type of profile, and he’s exceptional at that. Today he won the game in that action for us.”
Havertz makes the difference for Arsenal
The 24-year-old started regularly from the number 10 role before the international break but he hardly made an impression in the final third of the pitch.
As a result, it was unsurprising that captain Martin Odegaard was reinstated into the position following his recovery from concussion earlier this month.
Havertz redeemed himself with a lively cameo off the pitch and he could get the nod in the starting line-up when the Gunners hosts Lens in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The club are currently on nine points after four group stage games and a victory over the French outfit would guarantee a round of 16 berth with the top spot.
Hopefully, Havertz has turned the corner after yesterday’s winning goal and he will play with more confidence until his belt over the coming games.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
