
Mikel Arteta certain Kai Havertz will prove a hit at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has backed Kai Havertz to win over the fans and come good at Arsenal after the summer signing from Chelsea endured a tepid start to his career at the Emirates. Havertz arrived for £65million in June and has started all three of the team’s Premier League games as part of a midfield three this season. He was withdrawn after 56 minutes of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham having struggled to help Arsenal back into a match in which they trailed to Andreas Pereira’s first-minute goal. He had one glorious chance to level early in the first half when he got his head to Bukayo Saka’s clever flick back across goal but badly miscued his effort. And there was audible discontent from sections of the home support in certain moments when the Germany international was in possession. His struggles were thrown into stark relief by the impact of the player who replaced him, Fabio Vieira, who won a penalty from which Saka equalised in the 70th minute and then set up fellow substitute Eddie Nketiah to fire Arsenal into the lead moments later. Arteta insists he has been pleased with Havertz’s contributions so far and said he remains confident he will settle in north London. “I saw an action when he played it backwards and he could have turned,” said the manager. “But that’s more I think the demands of everybody, to play forward and to impact the game in the final third, because we had the urgency to win it. “Yes, I think (he will win the fans over). I think he’s done already really good things today. It was tough for him in certain moments, he got in great areas again and the ball didn’t arrive. “He’s had a lot of situations, he should have scored already a lot of goals this season, and that’s the thing that is missing there.” The introduction of Vieira and Nketiah in the second half had a transformative effect on Arsenal after a first half in which they dominated play but rarely extended Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Vieira in particular succeeded in galvanising the team in midfield after the ineffectual Havertz had departed, playing a decisive role in the goals that looked to have won it for the hosts before Joao Palhinha’s late strike for 10-man Fulham. But Arteta reserved special praise for Nketiah, a surprise omission from the starting line-up after performing well during Monday’s win against Crystal Palace, winning the penalty from which Martin Odegaard secured a 1-0 victory. “(Nketiah) looks a real threat at the moment,” said Arteta. “He’s in a good moment, I think he’s full of confidence. I saw when he came on in the second half the fire in his eyes, and he’s got an eye for goal. The way he finished the action, it was top. “It’s difficult to leave (any) player out. When I see the bench there are players that still haven’t played. But we’ve (played once a week (so far). In two weeks, that’s going to be a completely different scenario and we’re prepared for that.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live What next for Oleksandr Usyk after controversial win over Daniel Dubois? Christian Eriksen says Manchester United players expect kneejerk reactions We’re ready to go – Jamie Ritchie says Scotland are excited for World Cup
2023-08-27 22:28

Mourinho targets 6th European title as Sevilla seek to stay perfect
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Magic beat Giannis, Bucks 112-97 for first win over Milwaukee in Orlando since 2018
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Aaron Rodgers Just Took a Massive Pay Cut And the Packers Have to Be Furious
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Witt homers and Cole Ragans strikes out 11 as Royals blank A’s 4-0
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Walker snags 3 TD catches to help No. 12 UNC beat No. 25 Miami 41-31 for 6-0 start
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Watch live: Japan and Norway fans gear up for World Cup clash
Watch live as fans gear up to watch Japan and Norway's World Cup clash as the last-16 begins on Saturday, 5 August in Wellington, New Zealand. Japan have emerged as one of the tournament favourites after finishing top of Group C and becoming the top scorers in the group stage. They scored 11 goals in the group stage without conceding. Norway finished second in Group A despite playing most of the first round without Ada Hegerberg. The star striker took part in training in the New Zealand capital on Friday but has not played in more than two weeks. Hegerberg has not been named in Norway's starting XI, which is: Emilie Haavi, Sophie Roman Haug, Caroline Graham Hansen, Guro Reiten, Ingrid Syrstad Engen, Vilde Boe Risa, Tuva Hansen, Mathilde Hauge Harviken, Maren Naevdal Mjelde, Thea Bjelde, and Aurora Mikalsen. Follow our live coverage here. Read More Staking a claim for the World Cup – Ireland versus Italy talking points Danny Care will not hold back in bid to secure spot in England’s World Cup squad Ireland out to change World Cup story after 2019 disappointment – Tadhg Beirne
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Phillies fans are so down bad they're calling on failed Braves prospect
Philadelphia Phillies fans are livid at John Rojas for failing with the bases loaded, so they're calling on former failed Braves prospect Cristian Pache.
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Chandler Jones wellness check: Everything to know about Raiders star
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Senior Bowl director gasses up Dillon Gabriel after disappointing first year at Oklahoma
Jim Nagy expects big things out of Dillon Gabriel in what will be his final season at Oklahoma.After a few good years at UCF, Dillon Gabriel had a rough first season with the Oklahoma Sooners.To be quite frank, everyone on Oklahoma had a rough year. It was the worst season OU has had since t...
2023-05-30 05:48
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