Kai Havertz says he’s learnt the importance of small details since moving to Arsenal and that Mikel Arteta is a perfectionist who won’t let his players rest on their laurels.
While it took the Germany international time to settle in north London few players in the club’s recent history have experienced a such a rapid turnaround in form.
Havertz is now one of the first names on the team sheet at the Emirates and says Arteta’s guidance has been instrumental.
“Obviously when I came here everything was quite new, I haven’t worked with a coach that puts so much work into small little details on the pitch,” he told Sky Sports.
“Some things were new for me and I didn’t even know they were necessary, but obviously there are lots of things. I don’t want to give away our game plan, but so many things are important and I learned that.”
Asked about his manager’s best quality as a coach, he continued: “I think he has loads, but one of his biggest strengths is the competitiveness. I think you can see it in every game, whatever the circumstances.
“Whoever you play, if it’s already 4-0 to us in the 80th minute or whatever, he wants to have everything perfect. I think that’s good for us players because there’s no time to switch off. If you do, he wakes you up quite fast.
“I think we’re all very competitive, but if you have a manager who really lives it every day, it helps you on the pitch as well to be competitive.”
Havertz came off the bench against Bolton on Wednesday night to net his third goal of the season. He was joined on the scoresheet by Raheem Sterling, a player he became close to during their time at Chelsea.
“It’s so nice to have him back. I didn’t speak to him before he came because I didn’t even know he was coming!” said the German.
“I was looking on my phone and I just saw he’s close to joining Arsenal. I saw him after our game against Brighton and it was nice to see him again because I already had a good relationship with him at Chelsea.
“He’s a top-class player, he proved it so many times in the Premier League already. I think it’s great to have him here and I think he’s really going to enjoy his time here.”
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If you have a few moments, it’s well worth reading the full interview
Just score goals
Well, I think there’s something about MA that inspires players to play at their ultimate level, if they are willing to listen and to sign the ‘non-negotiable contract’..And Sterling’s best time as a player was at City when MA was assistant to PG. I hope he can get him back on track for us.
He will.
I’d like to see sterling start today might need his direct running but yet trickery to get going against a tough dogged Leicester.
Gabi marts should sit this one out for me , it’s good his level s v city115 defensively but he needs to produce more going forward .
Watch sterling in action and it should might see the penny drop cause as we all know Gabi on forms a top class player
I’d like to see big Gabi leave a few on Vardy… like very time he has the ball!
Agree with this. At home against bottom half team. Get our big Italian on at LB and let Sterling go forward on the left wing. We can benefit from Marti’s up and down energy another time.