Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion, with Kai Havertz once again the star.
The Germany international scored one and assisted another as the summer signing from Chelsea again showed why he could be the long-term answer to Arsenal’s centre-forward problem against the Seagulls.
And with nine goals scored in the Premier League for Arsenal, Havertz has now managed something few would have expected from the 24-year-old after arriving from west London.
Kai Havertz hits personal record as Arsenal beat Brighton 3-0
As per the the Telegraph’s Sam Dean, Havertz’s goal against Roberto De Zerbi’s side took the forward’s Premier League tally to nine this season, the best number the German has ever hit in the English top-flight.
Given how much criticism was hanging around Havertz’s signing last summer, Mikel Arteta’s decision to sign the Chelsea outcast has again been proven to be the correct one, with the 24-year-old stealing the show against Brighton.
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Indeed, Havertz in the centre-forward role might now be the long-term option most Arsenal fans are hoping for considering who has been linked with the Gunners in recent weeks.
However, Havertz’s goalscoring record is proving hard to ignore, and the versatile attacking midfielder’s latest showcase against Brighton could be enough to force some critics over to Arteta’s side.
Kai Havertz could save Mikel Arteta millions this summer
As unconventional as Havertz is and how tempting the prospect is of the German eventually emulating Granit Xhaka in the midfield, the 24-year-old is showing that he is simply best when leading the attack.
The numbers don’t lie, with Havertz scoring and assisting more when playing in the centre-forward role rather than as a left-eight, something Declan Rice has excelled at in recent weeks.
And if Arsenal were to go through with the plan of using Havertz as a striker, the decision could save Arteta millions, with money instead being used to invest in a true defensive midfielder to replace Thomas Partey and Jorginho.