BRIGHTON — Every year there is always one unexpected hero in the Premier League title race. This year could be Kai Havertz's year.
Havertz scored Arsenal's second goal and created their third. 3-0 win at Brighton The match will take place on Saturday and they will be at the top of the Premier League with seven games remaining. It's true that Liverpool have a game left, but Arsenal are dealing with the pressure this season.
The calm of Havertz and fellow summer signings Declan Rice and David Raya is a big reason why this season's title race feels so different for Arsenal.
Havertz, 24, has scored five goals and provided four assists in his last seven Premier League games. He is having his best season in the Premier League in terms of 14 goal involvements. He's not exactly prolific, but more importantly what his presence at the top does to unlock all of Arsenal's other creative talent, who have become integral to the team. That's true.
The Germany international is now a key cog in Mikel Arteta's carefully assembled machine. A few months ago, no one expected that to happen.
How have things changed for Havertz?
After a slow start to his time at Arsenal following his $82 million move from Chelsea last summer, Havertz was dropped from Arsenal's squad amid growing criticism.
However, the injury to Gabriel Jesus has given Havertz the opportunity to start more often in an attacking role, and he has been a revelation, especially in the last three months.
Havertz has never really found his best position since arriving in the Premier League, as Arteta used him in midfield for the first few months of this season, but he appears to be lacking in confidence. , lost in the hustle and bustle of the engine room. In his early days at Bayer Leverkusen, he streamed down the left to cause havoc, scoring goals, creating and looking free.
But he has now found freedom in the perfect role for Arsenal: the false nine.
Sure, he starts in the middle, but the way he moves around the pitch, darts out to either side or drops deep, confuses opposition defenders. Will they go with him? By the time the defenders have made their decision, Havertz has usually left space open for one of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus or Leandro Trossard to make the most of.
Havertz is a quiet hero. He doesn't flash his eyes with incredible speed or skill or score goals from 40 yards out. He doesn't scream and scream and tell the media how great he is. Havertz is methodical in everything he does. He never wastes energy. Every movement has a reason. He is efficient and smart, and everything he does has a purpose.
Placing him centrally was a masterstroke on Arteta's part, creating a highly unlikely potential hero in Arsenal's title bid.
