Mikel Arteta has explained why he pushed Kai Havertz towards the fans after the win over Brentford, with the summer signing scoring the winner.

Kai Havertz scored a late winner for Arsenal against Brentford on Saturday, heading home a Bukayo Saka cross to finally break the deadlock after a frustrating contest.

Arsenal had plenty of possession throughout the 90 minutes, but they struggled to capitalise, with the exception of a Leandro Trossard goal disallowed for an offside toe.

With the Gunners getting desperate, they started putting more crosses into the box, which was ideal for second-half substitute Havertz.

After the German international scored the winner and the final whistle blew, Mikel Arteta pushed Havertz towards the Arsenal supporters. In his post-match press conference, the manager clarified the reason why.

“When you’re there (in bad moments) and sometimes you have to face it, he’s done it, he’s faced it, he didn’t hide,” Arteta explained.

“So now go and face the beautiful moment because you fully deserve it. I knew he wasn’t going to do that, so I had to push him.”

Havertz admitted in his own post-match interview that things haven’t always been easy for him since joining Arsenal, but he’s learned to put the team first and he’s grateful to the fans for their support.

“It was tough for me, the last couple of months,” Havertz said. “I tried to put my ego aside as well because the team is the most important thing.

“I’ve been so thankful for these guys (the Arsenal fans) as well, because I know it’s always hard when a new signing comes and they pay a lot of money for you.

“They sometimes think [the money] goes quite easy and quite fast, but I’m just thankful for all of them to keep supporting me.”