Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer was full of praise for Arsenal striker Kai Havertz following the Gunners’ 3-1 win against Southampton.

Arsenal went 1-0 down after a goal from Cameron Archer 55 minutes in, but Havertz quickly restored order by scoring an equaliser just three minutes later.

The Gunners then went on to score two more courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka to give them the 3-1 win and three points before the international break.

There was much criticism of Arsenal’s squad over the summer, especially in that they don’t have a natural, pure goalscorer. But Kai Havertz has been in good form and Alan Shearer belives that is exactly what Mikel Arteta has in the German.

Speaking on the Rest Is Football Podcast, Shearer said: “He’s really impressing me in terms of his performances and goals.

“He’s been a real centre forward and not just his goals, but his hold-up play, what he’s doing for the team, bringing players into the game, challenging for balls in the air when perhaps he knows he might not win them, but trying to make it awkward for defenders. 

“I’ve been really really impressed with him.”

Kai Havertz’s home form a boost for the Gunners

The best thing about the former Chelsea striker’s scoring record so far this season is that he has scored in every single home game that Arsenal have played.

The 25-year-old’s tally for the season is now at six in all competitions through 10 games, a return that any pure goalscorer would be happy to turn around.

Over the past few games, Havertz has developed a partnership up front with Belgian attacker Leandro Trossard as Mikel Arteta changed his formation following Martin Odegaard’s injury.

If Havertz and Trossard continue to work together well, they could become a goalscoring partnership that, alongside Bukayo Saka’s pure quality, could propel the Gunners to a Premier League title.

Arsenal wanted to sign a striker in the transfer window

Despite Havertz’s excellent form, it was no secret that Arsenal had been linked to several world-class strikers during the summer transfer window.

One top target for the Gunners was Victor Osimhen who ended up making a loan move to Galatasaray. Manchester United and Chelsea were both keen on signing the Nigerian as well as Arsenal.

Furthermore, Viktor Gyokeres was linked to a move to the Emirates, but Sporting CP refused to reduce his price tag down from his £84 million release clause.

A slightly more budget option, Ivan Toney was touted over a move to Arsenal for a while, but nothing concrete came, and the former Brentford man moved to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.

However, going by Kai Havertz’s form, the £65 million that the Gunners paid to London rivals Chelsea for the German looks better and better.