“He gives so much to everybody” - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz’s impressive start to the season
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has explained attacker Kai Havertz's rousing start to the season. The 25-year-old arrived at the Emirates last summer from Chelsea and produced a solid campaign after a quiet start.
Continuing from where he had left off last season, Havertz is off to a flyer this campaign. In nine games across competitions, he has bagged five goals and an assist.
Most of those goal contributions - three goals and one assist in six games - have come in the Premier League, where Arteta's side are third, a point behind leaders Liverpool (15) and behind four-time defending champions Manchester City on goal difference.
Explaining Havertz's start to the season, Arteta said (as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano):
"The secret to make Havertz perform at the best level is... love. He’s a player that needs a lot of love".
"He needs to feel protected. He needs to feel chemistry around him, in football and in life. He gives so much to everybody. He needs that connection".
Havertz started off his league campaign with a goal and an assist in the 2-0 opening-day home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. He then found the back of the net in the 1-1 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion and the 4-2 home win over Leicester City last weekend.
What's next for Arsenal?
Arsenal have made a solid start to the season, especially in the league, where they are one of two unbeaten teams, the other being Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
The Gunners have won four of their six league games, with one of their draws being a 2-2 stalemate at the Etihad, where the Cityzens scored a last-gasp equaliser to force a share of the spoils after opening the scoring early on.
Mikel Arteta's side kicked off their European campaign with a goalless draw at reigning UEFA Europa League champions Atalanta in their UEFA Champions League opener. However, they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 home win over Ligue 1 giants PSG, with Kai Havertz scoring one of the goals.
The Gunners have also made a good start to their EFL Cup campaign, beating Bolton Wanderers 5-1 at home in their opener. They are next in action at home to Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday (October 5).
The Saints are in the relegation zone - in 19th place - and are one of five winless sides in the division after six games.