After leaving Chelsea in the summer, Kai Havertz needed some time to win over the Arsenal supporters. However, after his masterful double against his former team on Tuesday propelled his team three points clear of the competition, there won’t be many people who question him now.
After the half, the 24-year-old German scored two goals with clinical skill to help Arsenal win 5-0 and send a strong message to Manchester City and Liverpool.
It took Havertz ten games to score his first goal for Arsenal, and during his first few months in north London, the player who had just won the Champions League final for Chelsea appeared to be a man searching for his true calling.
But those trying times appear to be behind him now, and 12 goals in all competitions seems like a respectable return, and his versatility in the attacking midfield provides Arsenal options.“He is deserving. Ever since his arrival, he has been exceptional. Playing with him makes you realize just how good he is,” added Ben White, who added two more goals.
Havertz’s full potential is now being realized, which is a rich reward for manager Mikel Arteta’s early-season faith to the former Bayer Leverkusen attacker.
“His overall contribution in every phase of play was tremendous,” Arteta stated. “When you add the two goals he scored and some of the link-up play that he had in big moments, it was a great performance.”
Even if Manchester City still has the opportunity to win the Premier League for a fourth time in a row, the manner in which Arsenal destroyed Chelsea increased the pressure.With two games remaining, Liverpool is three points behind Arsenal while City is four points behind, but Arsenal’s significant goal differential practically earns them an additional point.
As his team gets ready for Sunday’s huge north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, Arteta will be keeping an eye out for any mistakes with Liverpool at Everton on Wednesday and City at Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday.
“We must perform our duties. We now need to wait and see what happens (with Liverpool and Manchester City),” Arteta remarked.“We’re playing a ton of games soon. After enjoying ourselves tonight, let’s get back to business.”
Chelsea’s recent comeback seems to have ran out of steam, while Arsenal will enter the closing weeks on a high.
Despite the absence of Cole Palmer, the joint top scorer in the Premier League, and a rearrangement of the starting lineup due to injury, their surrender in the second half was concerning.
They are still in ninth place, and their chances of making it to Europe as a reward for a dismal campaign are dwindling.“In circumstances where there is an obvious remedy, we did not focus or act aggressively. We’re really sad because of this,” manager Mauricio Pochettino stated.
“Talking about goals is challenging. It’s okay if we compete as we did on Saturday (when Man City defeated us in the FA Cup semifinal). But do I think we should be admitted to Europe if we compete as we do now? No, this is how I think.”