Kai Havertz won player of the match award in the 2-1 victory against Brentford at the Emirate stadium.
Mikel Arteta praised Kai Havertz as an “exceptional player” after his late header secured a crucial victory for Arsenal against Brentford, propelling them to the top of the Premier League table.
With Liverpool and Manchester City set to clash, Arsenal’s ascent to the summit marked a significant moment in the season.
Despite a setback when goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale conceded a goal, Havertz’s decisive goal ensured a 2-1 win for Arsenal.
Havertz’s impressive performance, including four goals in his last four league matches, has silenced early-season critics since his transfer from Chelsea, earning him applause from the home fans at full-time.
Mikel Arteta’s statement on Kai Havertz.
“I’m so happy,” Arteta said when asked if Havertz had now justified his big-money move.
“If somebody told me after the first two or three months that the whole stadium would be singing his song with that passion, with that feeling, with that chemistry, I would have found it hard to believe.
“That’s what happens to good people. He’s an exceptional player. When he starts to score goals like this and everything starts to flow people feel more connected with him.
“They see his work rate, they see his intelligence, they see how he plays for the team and how he’s contributing. It’s impossible not to love him.”
Declan Rice capitalized on an opportunity to score his sixth goal of the season, marking a career high.
However, just before halftime, Ramsdale, who has been sidelined since November’s match against Brentford, received a routine back-pass from Gabriel Maghalaes but hesitated in possession.
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His attempted clearance was blocked by Wissa and ended up in the net. Despite this error, Ramsdale redeemed himself with two impressive saves in the second half.
Arteta expressed relief that Ramsdale’s mistake didn’t result in a loss for the Gunners, acknowledging that this match may potentially be Ramsdale’s last appearance for the club.
“He has earned that respect and admiration. We really wanted to win for him.”
Havertz’s late header saved Ramsdale from embarrassment, but Brentford manager Thomas Frank believed that the German forward was fortunate to remain on the field and score the decisive goal.
Despite receiving a yellow card earlier for an elbow on Kristoffer Ajer, he escaped a second caution despite appearing to dive in an effort to earn a penalty.
“Havertz is a clear, clear dive,” said Frank.
“I wish they would just admit it. I don’t know if he has because that happens all the time, every week someone is doing it. I know it happens.
“That should of course been a second yellow and a red card. And then he wouldn’t be able to score the winner and hopefully maybe we would have gained a little bit more momentum, maybe to win the game.”
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