Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was in high spirits after Kai Havertz secured a late win at Brentford on Saturday evening.
The German attacker was introduced in the second half in a bid to break down a stubborn Bees defence, and it paid just ten minutes after he replaced Gabriel Martinelli.
The 24-year-old ghosted in behind the Brentford backline to connect with Bukayo Saka’s cross into the box, heading home at the back post to send the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table.
“When you have an opportunity to take a bite out of everybody you have to do it,” Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I was really curious how the team was going to do. Winter has started, it was very cold and it is difficult coming to Brentford and I loved the way the team competed, how we played. How much we wanted it and we deserved to win the game.”
It’s just the second time Havertz has scored in the Premier League since joining Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer, as he has struggled to find his feet at his new club.
“That is the beautiful thing about life,” Arteta said. “When you have challenges and you have to overcome them, it makes the moments much more. That is the reason the people reacted to him like that today. It is because he is adorable and he is a joy to work with and he fully deserves more than anybody to get that win.”
When asked if Arsenal can make a title bid, the Spaniard responded: “I love winning and we are top of the table and this is where we have to want to be. For me as well it was a special day – 200 games and I want to say thank you so much to everybody that makes my job so enjoyable.”
