Mikel Arteta praises ‘warrior’ Kai Havertz following Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Brighton… as Gunners fan Andy Murray calls the German ‘one of the best forwards in the Premier League’

Mikel Arteta and Andy Murray both hailed Kai Havertz following Arsenal‘s 3-0 win away to Brighton which took them back to the top of the Premier League table.

Havertz scored the Gunners’ second goal at the Amex on Saturday evening, his ninth league goal for Arsenal this term – more than he ever got in a single campaign for his former club Chelsea.

Gunners manager Arteta was quick to highlight the performance of Havertz following the victory, claiming that ‘everybody loves him’ for his heart and determination. 

Arteta said: ‘He was tremendous, again today. His other performances have been superb. 

‘Now his goal contribution is higher than anybody else in the league in the last few months and that tells the story. 

The ‘warrior’ got the second goal for the Gunners from close range just after the hour mark

Tennis icon Andy Murray said the German was ‘easily one of the best forwards’ in the league

‘He’s a warrior, he was chasing 70 metres here, he’s a player with a big heart and determination. That’s why everybody loves him.’ 

Tennis star Murray – an Arsenal supporter himself who also has a passion for Hibernian – wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ‘How good is @kaihavertz29. Easily one of the best forwards in the prem!’

The Gunners went in at the half-time break a goal to the good courtesy of Bukayo Saka’s 33rd-minute penalty.

Havertz scored from close range shortly after the hour mark to double Arsenal’s advantage, while former Brighton star Leandro Trossard came off the bench to haunt his former side with a clever chip to make it 3-0 with four minutes remaining.  

Substitute Leandro Trossard returned to haunt his former club with a clever chip late on

The victory moved Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League, above Manchester City who had won at Crystal Palace earlier in the day.

The Gunners are next in action against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night, before a home league game against Aston Villa next Sunday.