Kai Havertz proves once again why he is the ultimate big game player for Arsenal
Kai Havertz grabbed the only goal as Arsenal secured a well-fought 1-0 win away to Liverpool, their first victory at Anfield since 2012.
The German arrived perfectly at the back post to meet Declan Rice's low-driven ball across the face of goal and fire in past Alisson for what proved to be the decisive strike on Merseyside, sending the Gunners to the top of the Premier League.
It was Havertz's 40th goal since switching the blue of London rivals Chelsea for the famous red and white of Arsenal, and it was yet another finish that proved he is the champions' ultimate big game player.
Kai Havertz proves once again why he is Arsenal's ultimate big game player
Despite putting in a very poor performance in the Gunners' midweek humiliation away to Fleetwood Town, Havertz was tipped by many to start up front at Anfield and Mikel Arteta clearly felt the same way as he chose to deploy the German as the main man in attack.
That paid off as he grabbed the all-important goal for his side, not only sealing the three points for Arsenal at a stadium where they have struggled so much over the past decade, but also to become the all-time leading German goalscorer in Premier League history.
Havertz hasn't always been the most reliable player for goals week in, week out since joining the North Londoners in 2023, but there is no denying he has always stepped up in the biggest of games for the Gunners.
In his appearances against the rest of the league's traditional 'big six' for Arsenal, he has scored nine times, with all but one of the matches he has found the back of the net in ending in victory.
Sunday's strike against Liverpool was his first against the Reds for the Gunners while he has netted three times against title rivals Manchester City, the latest of which came in this season's 3-0 Community Shield win.
Havertz is yet to score against Manchester United, but he has scored against Tottenham, doing so in a 3-2 win in April 2024. He boasts his best record when facing his former side Chelsea, having netted four times against the Blues, last managing to in a 2-1 win in September.
His big-game form has not been limited to the 'big six' as he rose highest to head in the winning goal in a victory over Burnley in his side's final home game of the 2025/26 season. That result's knock-on effect led to Arsenal winning the league.
The German's goalscoring habits have extended in to cup competitions and Europe for the Gunners too, having found the back of the net against Paris Saint-Germain and Sporting in the Champions League while also scoring the winning goal in the Carabao Cup semi-final against ex-employers Chelsea.
Havertz's most important strike for Arsenal came in last season's Champions League final when he opened the scoring against PSG after just six minutes, but it didn't prove to be the decisive goal as they eventually lost in a penalty shootout.
His finish against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon was just the latest of many important goals in big games for the Gunners. While Havertz may not always be consistent in front of the net, he clearly knows how to find it in the matches that matter most, with his latest coming at Anfield.
