Kai Havertz burns bridges with Chelsea as Arsenal star reflects on £65m transfer

Kai Havertz has stung his former club Chelsea by admitting that joining their London rivals Arsenal was ‘the best thing he could have done’.

Havertz made 139 appearances for the Blues, having landed at Stamford Bridge in a blockbuster £71million move from Bayer Leverkusen. After three seasons in which his finishing was widely criticised, he traded west London for north and has kicked on ever since.

Now the figurehead of Mikel Arteta’s attack, Havertz notched his best-ever Premier League goals total last season (13), and he is on course for another fruitful campaign, with nine goals in 20 matches across all competitions so far.

Asked how he is enjoying life with the Gunners 17 months on from his £65m switch, Havertz told Sky Sports: “I enjoy it, every second. For me, it was the best thing I could have done.

“I’m so glad for the support and everyone who has helped me during my time. I’ve just got started and I hope to continue in good form, play well, win titles and help the team to win something.”

Despite facing competition from Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard for the centre-forward role, Havertz has established himself as the undisputed first choice, starting 13 of Arsenal’s 14 Premier League matches up to this point in the season.

The north Londoners struggled during a period of injury absence for captain Martin Odegaard, but they have come out firing since the most recent international break with convincing wins over Nottingham Forest, Sporting, West Ham and Manchester United.

Their earlier problems mean they are still seven points off table-toppers Liverpool, and behind Havertz’s old club, Chelsea, on goal difference. But the 25-year-old Arsenal forward is eager to set about clawing back the deficit ahead of a trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham this Sunday.

“We’re still in the first part of the season, and anything can happen,” Havertz continued. “Personally, I think about how the Premier League is getting tougher year after year.

“Liverpool have suddenly reached the top level and they are continuing to show it, week after week and I definitely have to give them credit. But there are a lot of games to play and a lot of points to get, so we will definitely be ready for the fight.”