Kai Havertz is quickly becoming Arsenal’s most potent attacking weapon.
The German midfielder has been in sensational form for the last few months, delivering goals, assists, and match-winning performances, with his most recent ones vital in Arsenal’s crucial victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
His illness-defying display only adds to the impressive narrative that’s building.
In his last 11 Premier League appearances, the German has racked up eight goals and five assists. His scoring touch has fuelled wins against Burnley, Newcastle, Sheffield United, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea (where he netted twice), and Spurs.
Havertz has also provided assists in key matches against Newcastle, Sheffield United, Luton, Brighton, and Tottenham.
Despite battling illness, Havertz turned in a star performance during Arsenal‘s 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur. His pinpoint long-ball assist to Bukayo Saka and a towering header were crucial in the victory. The last Arsenal player to score and assist in the first half away to Spurs? Patrick Vieira. The 24-year-old’s efforts earned him widespread praise and a top Fotmob rating of 8.8.
The statistics from the game reveal a player fully engaged in the battle after Spurs promised to deliver a ‘war’. Havertz made four clearances and won an impressive 80% of his aerial duels, highlighting his defensive work rate and impact in the air. This well-rounded performance earned him 13 fantasy points (10 for stats, 3 for a goal).
It’s no wonder Mikel Arteta described his performance as ‘sensational’.
“He wasn’t 100 per cent today, he was ill before the match and was struggling a bit but he still put in the performance that he put in,” Arteta said. “I thought he was unbelievable today. He was sensational in every department.”
Since scoring against Burnley in mid-February, Arsenal have won every game where Havertz has registered a goal or assist, a testament to his importance to the team.
When Arsenal paid £63m for Havertz last summer, many laughed. Arsenal fans even have a whole song about it. But Mikel Arteta saw the player Havertz was before Chelsea did their best to ruin his talent and it is that Kai we are starting to see flourish at Arsenal.
He feels loved, he feels supported and he is a player who needs to feel those things in order to perform to the levels we are seeing.
“I’m someone who doesn’t come out of my shell so easily in a new environment, but for me, it always takes a few weeks or a few months,” Havertz said at the start of the month in an interview with Sky Deutschland.
“Nowadays it definitely clicked. I feel extremely comfortable. I love the club, I love the players, the staff, and I love the fans.
“So, for me it [moving to Arsenal] was absolutely the right thing to do and I’m just happy to be here and fight for titles this year.”