One goal, one assist: Kai Havertz also surprised his coach Mikel Arteta during his starting eleven comeback for Arsenal FC. “The fact that he managed to do that today after such a long time was very impressive,” said the Spaniard about the German international soccer player’s return after a long period of suffering.
Thanks also to Havertz, 26, who was also involved in the third goal, Arsenal finished the group stage in the Champions League with a perfect record of eight wins from eight games by beating bottom-placed Qairat Almaty from Kazakhstan 3-2. Arteta is convinced: With Havertz the title is possible this year.
“The team knows how important Kai is for us and how he can help us to become significantly better and reach a new level,” said the team manager of the English Premier League leaders. Havertz himself will draw “a lot of self-confidence, joy and energy” from his comeback, said Arteta.
Havertz was in Arsenal’s starting lineup for the first time in 357 days; first a thigh injury and then a knee injury slowed him down. His return is also good news for national coach Julian Nagelsmann: If he is completely healthy, the 55-time national player should be part of the German team’s offensive line-up for the World Cup in the summer in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
