Kai Havertz revealed that he had to set aside his ego after scoring the decisive late goal for Arsenal against Brentford. The German midfielder, adapting to a different role than his Chelsea stint last season, came off the bench to secure a crucial 89th-minute victory at the GTech Community Stadium. This goal propelled Arsenal to the top of the Premier League, surpassing both Manchester City and Liverpool.
Havertz’s goal, only his second in Arsenal colors since his £65 million summer transfer, marked his first from open play, with the previous one being a penalty in the away win against Bournemouth. Despite facing criticism for his performances and the hefty transfer fee, Havertz expressed his satisfaction in repaying the trust placed in him by teammates and the club’s supporters.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Havertz said, “Today I got the goal, and it paid back. I am just happy I got it for the team. It was a brilliant goal and a brilliant pass as well. I think we train this way as a team a lot; Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard love to play those balls. It is hard work, nothing comes from itself, and you have to work and have to believe. I tried to put my ego aside, and the team is the important thing.”
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“I am so thankful for these guys,” he said of Arsenal’s fans. “It is hard when a new signing comes and they pay a lot of money for you. I am just thankful they keep supporting me.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told BBC’s Match of the Day that he “doesn’t know anybody who is not happy for him” and added that Havertz is a “tremendous football player”.
The result was a tough pill to swallow for Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who said after the game that a draw would have been a fair result on the balance of play.
“That’s the tough one in this beautiful game that we lose a game where get so many things right. It should have been a draw,” Frank remarked to TNT Sports.
“We managed to keep them very quiet throughout the game, then Saka has one fantastic moment, a fantastic cross that decides the game. Either team could have won, it could easily have been us.”