Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes that Kai Havertz deeserves more credit for his recent performances.
Havertz has been criticised for his form, with many questioning his price tag, following his £60million summer move from Chelsea.
However, Havertz has now scored in consecutive games, scoring the winner against Brentford followed by the opening goal in Arsenal’s 6-0 Champions League win against Lens.
Arteta, speaking ahead of their Premier League match at home to struggling Wolves, highlighted the confidence boost that this recent form has created.
He said: “He has been very positive. He’s been so influential in a good way to his team-mates and the team.
“When you feel loved, when you feel respected and when you feel admired, things are much easier.”
When asked about what has been done to improve Havertz’s confidence, Arteta added: “First of all support him like with any other player and then give him the tools and the time to excel his qualities.
“I think that’s what he’s doing, everything is starting to come together.
“A lot of things he was doing right he continues to do and now in front of goal he’s been very efficient.”
Having scored the winning goal in the 89th minute against Brentford, Arteta was seen encouraging his player to celebrate with the fans at full time.
Arteta believed he would not have done that himself and deserved credit.
He explained: “He’s very respectful. He’s not someone who wants to be there in the frontline, or at least he doesn’t show it in that way. But then, if you ask him to go to war, he will be the first one down there.
“He doesn’t want to take that credit and I think he deserved that credit on the day.”
Arteta and Arsenal fans will be hoping that Havertz can continue this positive run of form.
Arsenal are currently at the top of the Premier League table looking to maintain their position with a win against Wolves on Saturday.
Arteta concluded: “Time will tell. We have another big game. They’re very prepared. They have a lot of quality over there. It’s not a coincidence what Wolves are doing.
“They perform well against the top sides and that says a lot about the coaching staff, what Gary O’Neil is doing, the way they have prepared and how they control opponents. All our preparation has been focused on understanding what we have to do to win the game.”
