Kai Havertz got a morale-boosting winning goal for Arsenal at Brentford (Picture: Getty Images)
Kai Havertz thanked the Arsenal fans for sticking by him after a tough start to life at the club, as he headed home a late winner against Brentford on Saturday.
The German came off the bench at the Gtech Community Stadium to score the only goal of the game in the 89th minute and send the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table.
It had been a match of few chances but Havertz took his as he got on the end of a Bukayo Saka cross at the back post to secure the victory.
‘It feels amazing,’ Havertz told TNT Sports. ‘I’ve been working hard for these moments, today I got it paid back and I’m just happy to help the team with that.
‘It was a brilliant goal and a brilliant pass. We train this routine quite a lot in training. Bukayo or Martin [Odegaard] love to play this ball, so it was a good goal.
‘Football is always hard work, nothing comes from itself you have to work hard and keep belief. I know it was tough for me the last couple of months, but I tried to put my ego aside as well because the team is the most important thing.’
It was the 24-year-old’s second goal for Arsenal since his £60m move from Chelsea over the summer, with his performances coming under question.
Mikel Arteta was thrilled for Kai Havertz and made it very clear (Picture: Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta was delighted to see him get the winner, celebrating with him at the end of the match in front of the Arsenal fans and Havertz had a message for his supporters.
‘I’ve been so thankful for these guys,’ he said. ‘I know it’s hard when the new signing comes and they pay a lot of money for you, so they sometimes think it goes quite easy and quite fast but I’m thankful for them keeping supporting me.’
The victory takes Arsenal top of the Premier League table, one point clear of Manchester City.
MORE : Arsenal go top of the Premier League with dramatic late win at Brentford
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‘I know it’s hard when the new signing comes and they pay a lot of money for you.’