As the German opens the Gunners account, Arteta praises Havertz’s mentality.
When the German international joined from Chelsea, he overtook Declan Rice and Nicolas Pepe as Arsenal’s third-most expensive acquisition.
His first goal came during this game against Bournemouth. Not immediately, but still a beginning.
The Arsenal supporters sang, “Sixty million down the drain, Kai Havertz scores again,” for a good 15 minutes.
After the game, once more, for even longer.
The ironic chant “relentless” revealed their relief and shared joy at seeing one of their own, a player who had been the target of constant criticism, finally smiling.
In order to replace the formerly and even more vilified Granit Xhaka, Arsenal manager Arteta has put himself out there for Havertz to play in a left-sided midfield position and occasionally double as a forward.
The pressure to perform each time he plays is on Havertz because he has not found it easy to adapt and because Emile Smith Rowe, a hometown favorite, is hot on his heels.
Arteta wants his team to feel that way as well, but he is willing to give Havertz more leeway than most because he sees so much potential in him.
He also has to trust his instincts because they are correct.
It’s the same for the players.
They had a comfortable lead thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in the first half when, eight minutes into the second, they were given a penalty.
Prior to giving the ball to Havertz, Saka appeared to take it.
For the first one, he had given Odegaard the ball.
He wanted to give his new teammate a goal-scoring boost, but that is not the case and would ruin the story as well.
There is no pressure on Havertz to win the game against a Bournemouth team that is already looking like a relegation lock, but it is a tense moment nonetheless. Some Arsenal supporters applauded while others closed their eyes.
To distract him, the Bournemouth mob commotion behind the goal. Imagine the humiliation if he had forgotten.
A stumble and a hip shake sent goalkeeper Neto the wrong way, and the player stroked the ball into the net as if it were a warm-up exercise.
The celebrations that followed would have made Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher, two prominent television pundits, reach for the sick bucket.
After the game, Rice, a fellow high-profile summer signing, picked up the story and provided some perspective on how the players felt about the Havertz situation.
Because we care so much about Kai’s success, he said: “It was emotional for the fans, for Kai, and for everyone involved.
Sincerably, he trains extremely hard every day.
He gives everything during a game.
“He’s had opportunities to score this year but hadn’t done so, but to slot away a penalty in that crucial situation shows the talent and talent mindset he has.
His overall performance was so special, and I’m so happy for him.
“We’re a young group of lads who genuinely trust and believe in the manager.
In terms of the staff, players, fans at the Emirates, and fans here in Bournemouth, he has brought that atmosphere and the overall energy to the club.
“It’s such a unique feeling.
It’s a real honor to play for this club, and when there are special moments like this, it’s really good.
As I previously stated, that’s why I came to Arsenal.
The next managerial assignment for Arteta is the away Champions League game against Lens on Tuesday night.
Given the even greater test of this Sunday’s visit from Premier League title favorites Manchester City, choosing the right team and managing injuries like those to key player Saka will be crucial.
On this form, Bournemouth appeared to be in trouble.
Arteta’s childhood friend and new manager Andoni Iraola has a side without bite or goals.
Strangely, they are only third from the bottom despite being winless and having a minus ten goal difference.
On the south coast, Iraola has yet to inspire, and the news that Tyler Adams, the club’s second-most expensive signing, has suffered an injury setback, is a further blow.
When he transferred from Leeds to Barcelona for €26.9m in the offseason, the American international still had hamstring pain.
After an unsuccessful comeback in their League Cup victory over Stoke City last week, he now faces a further extended absence. How much better they could have fared in their upcoming three games against Burnley, Everton, and Wolves, their three main opponents in the fight for survival.
Bournemouth: Semenyo 5, Kerkez 5, Neto 5. 83), Senesi 6, Zabaryni 5, Aarons 5, Billing 6 (Rothwell 75), Cook 5, Kluivert 5 (Ouattara 59), Christie 5 (Smith 83), Tavernier 5 (Sinisterra 59), and Solanke 6.
Subs: Radu, Brooks, Moore, and Traore.
Raya 6, White 6, Saliba 6, Gabriel 7, Zinchenko 6, Odegaard 8, Rice 6, Havertz 6, Smith Rowe 6, Saka 8 (Vieira 76), Nketiah 6, and Jesus 6 for Arsenal.
Alternates: Elneny, Ramsdale, Kiwior, and Trossard.
Referring to Michael Salisbury 5.
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