Thomas Partey has now revealed his ‘hope’ for Kai Havertz after the German scored twice as Arsenal thrashed London rival Chelsea 5-0 at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
The Gunners ran riot to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Arsenal put on a true show under their north London lights as Leandro Trossard (4’), Ben White (52’, 70’) and Havertz (57’, 65’) punished Chelsea for the Blues’ total lack of conviction inside the area.
Arsenal were comfortably the better side during both halves yet Chelsea nearly hit the break level. Nicolas Jackson, who was lucky to avoid a straight red card for his lazy foul on Takehiro Tomiyasu, bailed out of heading the ball from just six yards out with Gabriel Magalhaes near.
Kai Havertz gave Chelsea a reminder of the player they sold to Arsenal
Chances also fell inside the Blues’ box that the Gunners failed to convert in both halves. The scoreline could have looked miles worse than it already was as Arsenal enjoyed their biggest win over Chelsea to date with a former Stamford Bridge star in Havertz at the heart of it all.
Captain Martin Odegaard pulled the strings in a Man of the Match performance at Emirates Stadium. But, on any other night, White or Havertz would have been worthy winners of the award. Havertz gave Chelsea a brutal reminder of the player they sold to Arsenal last June.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Kai Havertz from his girlfriend to height
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta pushed through an initial £62.5m, rising to £67.5m with add-ons, transfer for Havertz last summer. Arsenal have now since seen that decision return 11 goals and five assists in 33 Premier League games. Havertz has seven goals in his last 10 matches.
Thomas Partey ‘hopes’ Kai Havertz continues to improve at Arsenal
It is Havertz’s best Premier League season in front of the net so far, having enjoyed his best campaign at Chelsea in 2021/22 with eight goals and three assists. His tally could have had even more goals and assists if his decision-making in the area had been better this Tuesday.
Havertz occasionally made the wrong decision by opting to pass when the shot was on and shoot when the pass was the better option. But Partey can see the progress from Havertz’s work in training at London Colney and hopes he can end his first season at Arsenal strongly.
“He’s a great player,” Partey told the official Arsenal website after the match. “He’s working a lot and you can see the work he’s doing. He deserves everything that comes along. I hope he can continue like that and finish the season strongly.”
