Arsenal’s super-sub Kai Havertz admits his 89th-minute goal ‘feels amazing’ after rescuing a 1-0 win over Brentford following a ‘tough couple of months’ scoring just twice since his £65m move from Chelsea

Kai Havertz admits his winning goal on Saturday ‘feels amazing’ after coming of the bench to seal a 1-0 win on the road for Arsenal against Brentford – taking the Gunners to the top of the table in the process. 

Mikel Arteta was quick to make sure his goalscoring super-sub Havertz received the plaudits he deserved, taking him in front of the travelling fans to soak up their applause at the end. 

The German came off the bench to head home what turned out to be the winning goal in the 89th minute of the game, having only scored once before for the Gunners since his arrival. 

Havertz joined the north London outfit for £65million over the summer from cross-town rivals Chelsea, but has so far struggled for goal contributions. 

However, he was quick to reveal his pride that his ‘hard work’ paid off in crucial fashion, with the Gunners taking top spot after Liverpool held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday afternoon. 

German scored just his second goal for the club since making summer move from Chelsea

‘It feels amazing,’ he revealed after the game. ‘We’ve been working hard for these moments, and today I got it paid back. I’m just happy to help the team with that.

‘It was a brilliant goal and a brilliant pass as well. We do this routine a lot in training, Bukayo and Martin love to play these balls, it was a good goal.

‘Football is always hard work. Nothing comes from itself, you have to work and you have to believe. I know it was tough for me the past couple of months, but I try to put my ego aside because the team is the most important thing.

‘I’ve been thankful for these guys (fans), because it’s always hard when you come and they pay a lot of money for you. I’m thankful for them to keep supporting me.’

The versatile German international has been played in a number of positions since arriving at the Gunners.

Not only has he featured as a deeper-lying forward, but he has also played on either side of Arsenal’s midfield two, both as a more progressive No 10 and as a box-to-box left-sided No 8. 

He was even deployed at left back by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann in the recent international break, and managed to get on the scoresheet. 

The versatile midfielder snuck in at the back post to head home a cross from Bukayo Saka

‘You see that there, satisfaction, relief. This is why you’re here,’ said TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand, discussing the midfielder after the game. 

‘Sometimes players can’t come in and be everything to everyone immediately. You have moments that might be a catalyst for the next part of his career. Positivity and upturn in form. This can be that. 

‘Hopefully this is it for Havertz, because he has fantastic ability, great potential, you just want to see it on a consistent basis. Sometimes you need that moment, we’ll see if today was that.’

‘He has big moments, he had big moments for Chelsea,’ added Peter Crouch. 

‘That’s a massive goal. He looks like a confidence player, if that goal can galvanise him, I think he can go on a good run and be a decent player for Arsenal.’