Arsenal Tops the Ladder with Havertz's Redemption Strike
Havertz saves the day for Arsenal!
Having a tough time against FC Brentford, Arsenal snatched a 1-0 victory in the final moments thanks to Kai Havertz's striking prowess in the closing minutes. With this win, they nudged past Manchester City (1:1 against Liverpool) in the race for the top spot in the table.
Mastering the challenge for coach Mikel Arteta (41).
Arsenal played hard to unsettle Brentford, a team that rarely leaves good impressions on the pitch. Vitaly Janelt started in the lineup for the "bees," but the Gunners kept them at bay until the 77th minute. Maupay had an opportunity to score, but Zinchenko intervened with an epic save from the goal line.
Two minutes later, Arteta brought on Havertz – no left-back this time.
His season had been far from splendid, marked by mockery and opening a goal less account since the 7th match against Bournemouth (4-0).
▶︎ 89th minute: Saka saw Havertz heading towards the second post and served him with a beautifully delivered cross. With his head, he put ex-Freiburg player Flekken in Brentford's goal to pause.
Havertz finds redemption! His first goal since the Bournemouth encounter.
Arsenal now leads the way (30 points), stealing ahead of ManCity (29) and Liverpool (28). Tottenham (26) can still slide into third place with a win against Aston Villa on Sunday (kick-off 3:30 pm).
Havertz's Influence
Kai Havertz has significantly contributed to Arsenal's impressive start in the 2024-25 Premier League season. Here are some ways he made a difference:
- Goal Scoring Consistency: Havertz’s goal against Brentford marked his 7th consecutive goal at the Emirates, tying Robin van Persie's record for most consecutive goals scored at the stadium.
- Crucial Assists: Besides his striking abilities, Havertz proved himself as a playmaker, setting up Martin Odegaard's goal against Man City with a perfect pass.
- Team Performance: Often, Havertz's presence on the field played a crucial role in their team performance. In the 5-1 victory over Man City, he was instrumental with his pressing intensity and key passes.
- Leadership: Havertz has showcased strong leadership qualities in the side, filling Mikel Arteta's trusted circle while temporarily overshadowing the absence of other leaders such as Bukayo Saka.
- Table Impact: Even though Havertz will miss the rest of the season due to injury, his earlier contributions have helped Arsenal maintain a strong position in the table. They now sit second in the league.
Making a name for himself, one assist and goal at a time, Kai Havertz has been instrumental in Arsenal's journey to reclaim their place as a top-tier Premier League team.
