Mansion Sports – Arsenal forward Kai Havertz expressed his delight after helping his team defeat his former club, Chelsea, 2-1 in a fiercely contested London derby at Emirates Stadium.

The Germany international played an important role as The Gunners maintained their perfect start to the new Premier League campaign.

The Gunners Show Resilience in Derby Victory

Arsenal displayed tremendous character at Emirates Stadium by recovering from an early setback to secure all three points against Chelsea.

After falling behind, Havertz brought The Gunners back into the match by scoring the equalizer in the 25th minute before Mikel Arteta’s side completed the comeback.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the final whistle, the German forward expressed his satisfaction with the result and the team’s performance:

“It is always nice to win at home against a London rival. It was a difficult game, but over the 90 minutes, we deserved to win the match.”

The victory felt even sweeter for The Gunners, who had to overcome a difficult opening period.

Havertz continued his impressive start to the season by scoring his third goal in four appearances in all competitions for Arsenal.

Despite facing pressure early in the match amid the derby atmosphere, the home side remained composed to secure three wins from their opening three league matches, while also remaining level with Manchester City at the top of the standings.

Havertz Haunts His Former Club

For Havertz, the match carried special significance given his history with the visitors.

The German, who scored 32 goals in 139 appearances for Chelsea, including the iconic winning goal in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League final, as well as helping the club win the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, proved clinical when an opportunity came his way.

Having scored the equalizer that changed the momentum of the match, he reflected on his important goal:

“I was happy that the ball went between the defender’s legs, making it difficult for him to see the ball. It is always nice to score.”

The forward also praised the squad’s resilience in facing a Chelsea side that has undergone significant investment.

“They have strong players. They have an incredible squad, but so do we. We knew this game would be difficult and would be very tight. They scored early, so it was not easy for us, but we believed in ourselves and turned the game around.”

Odegaard Receives High Praise from Teammate

Although Havertz attracted attention with his goal, he was quick to highlight the influence of club captain Martin Odegaard.

The Norwegian midfielder played an important role throughout the match, controlling the game before ultimately scoring the winning goal.

Havertz believes the captain has reached a level of performance that will leave Premier League defenders extremely concerned.

“I think he is an incredible player. We have seen him over the last few years. This season, I think he has returned to his best form. I think he will help us a lot this season.”

Odegaard’s return to his best form represents a major boost for Arsenal. The captain has responded strongly after a frustrating campaign last season, when a knee injury limited him to just 36 appearances in all competitions and one goal.

By scoring against Chelsea, the Norwegian has now registered three goals this season, reinforcing his resurgence at the heart of Arteta’s team.

Focus Shifts to European Challenge

Arteta’s side will now turn their attention to the continental stage, where they face a demanding trip to Italy.

The Gunners travel to face Napoli in a Champions League fixture on Wednesday, with the objective of carrying their domestic dominance into Europe.

After that match, they will return to England to travel to Sunderland.