Arsenal stars Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka
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Kai Havertz has revealed the moment his Arsenal career took off after a rocky start following his high-profile move from Chelsea in the summer of 2023. The German midfielder joined the Gunners in a £65 million transfer, a deal that initially raised eyebrows given his inconsistent form during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Despite scoring the decisive goal in Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League triumph, Havertz’s overall stint in West London was deemed underwhelming, leading to scepticism surrounding his switch to the Emirates. However, the 25-year-old has since cemented his place as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s team and reflected on the pivotal role played by captain Martin Ødegaard in his resurgence.
Havertz endured a slow start at Arsenal, taking 10 games to score his first goal amidst a series of challenging performances. That breakthrough came via a penalty in Arsenal’s 4-0 victory over Bournemouth, with Ødegaard entrusting Havertz with the opportunity to convert from the spot. Havertz has since gone on to become integral to Arsenal’s title-challenging side, finishing his debut season with 13 league goals.
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Speaking toThe Men in Blazers YouTube channel, Havertz credited his first goal as a turning point, saying: “The penalty helped me a lot. It was very important because when you come to a club and know they’ve paid a lot of money for you, you feel under pressure. I’m the kind of person who always needs some time to adapt—not just to the playing style but also to the people here. It took a while, but I was confident I could turn it around.”
Havertz praised his teammates for supporting him during his adjustment period, particularly Ødegaard, who played a crucial leadership role.
🗓️ One year ago today…
Kai Havertz scored his first Arsenal goal 🥰 pic.twitter.com/zsdDE9J5zE
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 30, 2024
“I’m glad I have such good teammates who gave me that penalty to build my confidence. The rest went quite well last season,” Havertz added.
Havertz also highlighted Ødegaard’s impact on Arsenal’s performances, emphasising the Norwegian’s influence both on and off the pitch.
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“He’s very important to us—our captain and someone who speaks a lot in the dressing room and on the pitch. He steps up not only with words but with actions, taking the ball in tough situations. You just feel the difference when he’s on the pitch.”
Ødegaard recently returned to action following a long injury absence, and Havertz acknowledged the transformative effect of his presence.
“When we press the goalkeeper or defenders, he’s the first to sprint at them. We’re all very happy to have him back.”
Under Arteta’s guidance, Kai Havertz has found his best form at Arsenal, with his partnership alongside Ødegaard proving pivotal to the team’s success. The German international now stands as a vital cog in a squad aiming to reclaim the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.
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