Arsenal secured an excellent 3-0 victory away at Brighton to temporarily move top of the Premier League, and one player in particular stole the show.
Kai Havertz received criticism at the start of the season for his lacklustre performances since his £65m arrival from Chelsea, but he now looks a player transformed and is thriving in his role as a centre-forward.
Havertz was awarded the player of the match award for his display against Brighton, and was easily the best player on the pitch throughout the game as he caused nightmares for the opposition defence again.
He has now reduced Arsenal’s need to sign a top-quality centre-forward in the summer, and his recent form is up there with the Premier League’s best players.
Tennis legend and Arsenal fan Andy Murray has now praised the German following his excellent display at the Amex Stadium.
Andy Murray praises Kai Havertz after Arsenal victory
Taking to his X account, Murray claimed that the Arsenal star is now among the Premier League’s best strikers.
“How good is Kai Havertz. Easily one of the best forwards in the prem!” he posted.
Havertz scored Arsenal’s second goal following a fine cross from Jorginho, and set up Leandro Trossard with an excellent pass for the Belgian to score the third against his former team, and throughout the game, the 24-year-old created several chances for his teammates, whilst also causing Brighton’s defenders trouble with his attacking movement.
Where does Kai Havertz rank among Premier League strikers?
Havertz has now scored nine and assisted five times in the Premier League this season, a total which eclipses the best return he ever managed during his Chelsea days.
His poor start to the season has held his numbers back, as his tally of nine is still some way off the leading strikers in the Premier League.
Erling Haaland leads the way on 19 goals, with Ollie Watkins just behind on 18.
Dominic Solanke has hit 16 this season, whilst Arsenal target Alexander Isak has netted 15 times.
Darwin Nunez and Chris Wood have scored 11 each, but Havertz’s nine is level with Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson.
Havertz does offer more than just goals though, and his all-round play as a centre-forward makes him more valuable to Mikel Arteta than a lot of strikers could be.