Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes that the Gunners are reaping the rewards of giving Kai Havertz "love" following his man-of-the-match display in Saturday's 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
The former Chelsea man had a direct hand in two of his side's three goals at the Amex Stadium, where Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table with a statement victory.
After Bukayo Saka clinically dispatched a first-half penalty to break the deadlock, Havertz produced an excellent piece of movement to lose Lewis Dunk inside the Brighton six-yard box and tap in from Jorginho's cutback.
The ex-Chelsea man's close-range effort in front of the away end was his ninth goal of the Premier League season, a tally he failed to reach during his mixed time at Stamford Bridge, and he also registered an assist for Leandro Trossard's third on the South Coast.
After struggling to adapt to the demands of a midfield role in the first weeks of the season, Havertz - who also scored in December's success over Brighton at the Emirates - is blossoming at the tip of the Arsenal attack.
KAI HAVERTZ!!!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 6, 2024
Arsenal have a second 🔴 pic.twitter.com/RaBQNuguB1
Arteta issues challenge to in-form Havertz
The former Bayer Leverkusen starlet now has five goals and four assists to show from his last seven Premier League games during an exceptional run of form, and Arteta has now challenged Havertz to continue performing at the peak of his powers.
"He's certainly having a huge impact on the team, I think his overall performances have been really good and now his numbers in terms of goal contributions, are really, really high," Arteta said at his post-game press conference.
"He needs to maintain that level, I think the understanding between the attacking players today was superb – I think they had real purpose and connection, and a lot of clarity to attack against them, and we created many chances.
"A lot of the time players decide where they have to play, and we can have certain ideas, but then you see certain relationships and some things flow. And when it flows, you have to let it go, and I think Kai at the moment is flowing and he's feeling really comfortable there, the rest of the team is comfortable with him there and things happen naturally.
"We have given him confidence, I think hopefully we've given the love that he needs. And after, he has the appreciation from the rest of the players and the staff at the club and now, our supporters for sure."
Arteta reacts to defensive celebrations
© Reuters
In addition to their ruthless finishing in the Brighton box, Arsenal's unity was on show in their own penalty area in injury time, where the Gunners celebrated Gabriel Magalhaes's block on Joao Pedro as if they had scored themselves.
The Brazilian's late intervention ensured that the North London giants would keep a clean sheet for the fifth Premier League away game in a row, matching a club record set during Arsene Wenger's first year in charge in the 1996-97 campaign.
Arteta was unsurprisingly overjoyed to speak about his players' reaction to denying Brighton a consolation goal right at the death, adding: "That's really pleasing for all the coaches to see that reaction from the team at 3-0.
"It's great because that tells you how much they want it, the importance and the focus they put in every single ball, that was an extra bonus today."
Now one point clear of Liverpool, who must beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday to regain top spot, Arsenal turn their attention to Tuesday's tantalising Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich at the Emirates.
Ben Knapton
