Kai Havertz scored his first goal for Arsenal in his 10th try, as the Gunners beat Bournemouth 4-0 on Saturday evening at Vitality Stadium.
Havertz had come under immense pressure and widespread criticism from pundits and rival fans, questioning his productivity on the pitch and why Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kept selecting him.
In the 53rd minute, Arsenal got a penalty and his teammates handed him the opportunity that he gladly took with both hands and made no mistake but slot the ball home to score Arsenal’s third goal of the match.
While talking to the press after the match, Mikel expressed his happiness for Havertz’s first goal in the famous red and white and hopes that it changes everything for him going forward.
“It will probably change everything, but first of all if he had any question marks about how we feel about him, how much we love him, how much we appreciate everything that he does, I think that’s out.”
Arteta also insisted he didn’t tell his players to give Havertz the penalty since Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are the first-choice takers. He said he was glad his team showed humanity to help out Havertz with his confidence.
“I am really happy for the win but even happier to be part of something, part of a team that shows the human qualities that they have shown today, without me telling them absolutely nothing to show that and that empathy towards a player that has some question marks to resolve externally.
They won me, even more, today, they’ve done in a really natural way.I am delighted they have made that decision.
“I’m so thankful to our supporters for the way they sang his name, have made him feel in the way he has felt today and if there’s a person in a dressing room that deserves that, it’s Kai Havertz. So happy for him.” Arteta said.
Arsenal’s next match is against French Ligue 1 side Lens in the Champions League in France midweek, before facing Manchester City in the top-of-the-table clash next weekend.
