Mikel Arteta branded Arsenal matchwinner Kai Havertz praised an ‘exceptional player’ for their crucial role in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brentford.
The Gunners seemed to be on the way to a usual win when Declan Rice scored the opening goal for Arsenal, but Brentford surprised the Emirates Stadium with a strange equalizer, thanks to an Aaron Ramsdale mistake, just before half-time.
With Liverpool hosting Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, Arsenal couldn't afford to lose points in the title race. They managed to take the lead again in the closing stages, with Havertz's powerful header.
The new signing from Chelsea had a difficult start at Arsenal but has now scored in four consecutive games and is playing a more important role for his new club. This has pleased his manager greatly.
‘I’m so happy,’ Arteta said when asked if Havertz had now justified his big-money move.
‘If somebody told me after the first two or three months that the whole stadium would be singing his song with that passion, with that feeling, with that chemistry, I would have found it hard to believe.
‘That’s what happens to good people. He’s an exceptional player. When he starts to score goals like this and everything starts to flow people feel more connected with him.
‘They see his work rate, they see his intelligence, they see how he plays for the team and how he’s contributing. It’s impossible not to love him.’
Rice scored his career-best sixth goal of the season, but just before half-time stoppage, Ramsdale received a back-pass from Gabriel Maghalaes but hesitated in possession, and his attempted clearance was blocked into the net by Yoane Wissa.
Ramsdale has not played since the return game at Brentford in November after losing the battle for the Arsenal number one spot to David Raya – who is on loan from the Bees and therefore ineligible against his parent club – and this could yet be his final outing for the Gunners.
He recovered to make two smart saves in the second half, and Arteta was pleased his mistake did not ultimately cost the Gunners.
‘I’m really happy especially because he did exactly what he is, which is a person with huge personality and courage, very determined,’ he said.
‘Errors are part of football. It’s how you react to it, especially for the keepers, which is probably the most difficult position. He did so in an amazing way. I’m not surprised because the whole team and the whole stadium was behind him.
‘He has earned that respect and admiration. We really wanted to win for him.’
