Arsenal striker Kai Havertz has now revealed the personal secret behind his success as a penalty taker after scoring from the spot again at Euro 2024.
Arsenal star Kai Havertz was on target for Germany last night, as the host nation secured passage to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a 2-0 win over Denmark in Dortmund.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring for Germany, after Joachim Andersen was adjudged by a VAR review to have handled the ball in his own penalty area. Whilst there was plenty of controversy about that decision, there was nothing marginal about the way Havertz put the ball away.
The Arsenal man stepped up confidently, and buried the ball in the bottom corner. Although goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel dived the right way, he could not get near Havertz’s effort as it was so well placed.
This goal marked the German’s second of the tournament so far, with his first having also come from the sport in the opening game of the competition against Scotland.
Whilst the German media want Havertz to be more clinical from open play, there is no denying that the former Chelsea man is reliable when it comes to converting penalties. He also bagged his first ever goal for Arsenal from the spot, in a period when he otherwise looked low on confidence and was struggling to settle in Mikel Arteta’s team.
Arsenal ace Kai Havertz lifts the lid on his penalty technique
Havertz is not rushed when it comes to taking penalties. His run-up to the ball is gradual, and he always looks to be entirely in control of the situation.
Speaking to ZDF after the win over Denmark, as quoted by Get Football News Germany, Havertz discussed his thoughts on taking penalties for his nation. The 50-cap star said: “I practise a lot and I like taking penalties. I enjoy it. I always try to take the pressure off myself and just enjoy the moment. Today it worked.”
Havertz is growing in stature for Arsenal and Germany
When he first arrived in North London last summer, Havertz looked desperately short of confidence. Arteta’s plan to reinvent him as a midfielder ultimately failed too, and it wasn’t until he was installed up front for Arsenal around the turn of the year that he really began to find his feet at the Emirates Stadium.
He has not looked back since. Gary Lineker now insists that Havertz has established himself as an out-and-out striker.