Michael Owen was impressed with Kai Havertz’s performance in Arsenal’s win over Brighton (Premier League Productions)
Michael Owen believes Kai Havertz is starting to prove his doubters wrong after the Arsenal star played a key role in Sunday’s win over Brighton.
The Gunners ended their recent hoodoo against the Seagulls and moved, temporarily at least, back to the top of the Premier League table following a 2-0 victory.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated proceedings but missed a host of first half opportunities and had to wait until eight minutes into the second half to break the deadlock through Gabriel Jesus’ back post header.
The home crowd were preparing themselves for an anxious finish as Arsenal failed to build on their lead, but Havertz settled the nerves with three minutes remaining by scoring his fourth goal in his last seven games.
It has been quite a transformation for the £65million signing who endured a difficult start to his Arsenal career but is now finding form having been backed to the hilt by his manager.
Kai Havertz was on the scoresheet again for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Brighton (Picture: Getty)
‘It was probably a little bit late for the Arsenal fans to stop them getting a bit nervous, it was getting a bit late in the game but that was to seal the deal,’ Owen said of Havertz’s game-clinching goal.
‘Havertz has come into a little bit of form if he can continue this and grow into more of a permanent fixture and a confident player then that could, as the old saying go, be like a new signing.
‘He’s been very, very poor since he’s been at the club but all of a sudden he’s showing signs of a bit of promise.’
‘In terms of goals, yes,’ said Arteta, meanwhile, when asked if Havertz was delivering the sort of performances he had hoped for when he sanctioned his transfer.
‘In terms of performances it’s exactly the same as he was at the start of the season. You can see he’s confident and enjoying his football.’
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‘He’s showing signs of a bit of promise!’