Mikel Arteta hails match-winner Kai Havertz after goal in Arsenal victory over Brentford - ‘That’s what big players do’

Mikel Arteta hailed match-winner Kai Havertz, after the German’s 89th-minute header sent Arsenal top of the Premier League.

Havertz nodded home Bukayo Saka’s cross to seal a 1-0 win over Brentford, which moves the Gunners a point clear of Manchester City.

“You only have to see the reaction of everybody, how much they love him and how much he brings to the team," he told TNT Sports.

“We believed he could change the game in those moments with the way they were defending; it was perfect timing and he won the game for us.

“That's what big players do.”

Meanwhile, Havertz expressed his relief after the late goal, the first since scoring in a 4-0 win over Bournemouth on September 30.

“It feels amazing; I've been working hard for this moment and today I got it paid back,” .

“It was a brilliant goal and a brilliant pass as well, we've practised this routine a lot in training so I know Bukayo [Saka] and Martin [Odegaard] love to play these balls. It was a good goal.

“Football is always about hard work and nothing comes by itself; you have to keep going and believing.

“I know it's been tough for me in the last couple of months, but I tried to put my ego aside because the team is the most important thing.”

The 24-year-old also expressed gratitude to the fans for their faith in him, with this just his second goal for the club since arriving from Chelsea in the summer.

“I've been so thankful to these guys because I know it's always hard when a new signing comes, and the club pays lot of money for you.

“People will think things will come quite easily and fast, so I'm thankful to all of them for continuing to support me.”

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, NBA and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.