Arsenal striker Kai Havertz equals a club goalscoring record set by Robin van Persie in the Gunners’ 3-1 victory over Southampton at the Emirates.
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz equalled a club goalscoring record set by Robin van Persie with his leveller in the Gunners’ 3-1 Premier League victory over Southampton at the Emirates.
Following a difficult start to his Gunners career after his £65m move from Chelsea in 2023, Havertz has blossomed at the tip of the Arsenal attack and has developed an affinity for scoring at home in particular.
The Germany international notched Arsenal’s winner against Everton on the final day of the 2023-24 season, and his hot streak at the Emirates has shown no signs of slowing down since the beginning of the new term.
Havertz had netted home goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City before the visit of Southampton, who took a shock lead at the Emirates through Cameron Archer early in the second half.
However, Mikel Arteta‘s side were only behind for a matter of minutes, as Bukayo Saka intercepted a poor pass from Flynn Downes and fed Havertz, who shifted the ball onto his left foot and fired in an equaliser off the post.
Havertz scores in seventh Arsenal home game running
© Imago
In doing so, the 25-year-old became just the second Arsenal player to ever score in seven straight home matches across all competitions, emulating Robin van Persie, who did so during his exceptional 2011-12 season.
That year, the Dutchman scored in consecutive matches against Queens Park Rangers, Manchester United, Aston Villa (FA Cup), Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan (Champions League) and Newcastle United in a streak spanning from December 2011 to March 2012.
When asked about Havertz’s terrific feat in his post-game press conference, Arteta said that he noticed a “change” in the reserved Havertz that joined Arsenal to the confident, prolific striker that is leading the line today.
“When he’s practising, he wants more and he’s not satisfied with what he’s doing because there is still, I think, another level from him,” the 42-year-old told reporters.
“Obviously, he’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him and that confidence, you really sense it and now he’s putting it into games and he’s winning football matches which is great.”
Arteta makes Bukayo Saka rest admission after Southampton masterclass
© Imago
After Havertz’s leveller, Saka played provider once again for Gabriel Martinelli to volley home at the back stick and propel Arsenal into the lead, as the Englishman registered his seventh assist of the Premier League season and 42nd in the top flight overall.
Saka has now set up more Premier League goals for Arsenal than Robert Pires, and the 23-year-old made sure of the three points close to the end with a fine finish across goal after another defensive error from the visitors.
Cole Palmer and Wilfred Ndidi (four each) are the closest challengers to Saka for the Playmaker prize, but Arteta – who switched up his attack with the inclusions of Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling – confirmed that he was tempted to rest the winger.
“Yes there is, and we have taken him off a few times this season and we have to manage the load on him, but at the moment, he’s in a good place,” Arteta said on Saka.
The Gunners remain third in the Premier League rankings after Saturday’s win, one point behind leaders Liverpool, and they return to action away to Bournemouth on October 19 following the international break.
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