Mikel Arteta has hailed Kai Havertz for his recent performances for Arsenal and said he was delighted that Emile Smith Rowe returned to form in midweek.
Havertz provided the assist for Martin Odegaard’s opener against Luton to continue his impressive recent run of form, with the German having now scored four goals and laid on three assists in his last six Premier League appearances.
After criticism of his role earlier in the campaign, Havertz has shone at centre-forward for the Gunners and now has 12 league goal involvements for the campaign, the highest return of his time in English football.
“I am very pleased with him. He has incredible qualities in the attacking phase as well as in link-up play,” Arteta said on Havertz at his pre-Brighton press conference.
“His contribution defensively is outstanding with the work rate he puts into the team. He has more games to come and he will be trying to improve his numbers. It is just his first season for us and has been moving in different positions. He is very intelligent.”
Arteta rotated his team for the midweek win over Luton and handed minutes to several squad members. Emile Smith Rowe made only his third league start of the campaign and responded with a man-of-the-match performance at the Emirates.
“I was very pleased with the result and performance,” Arteta said.
“When you make changes there is always a possibility [of losing], but the boys were really good.
“[Emile] Smith Rowe was really strong in the game and showed he is one great player when he is fit and playing at this level.”
