Speaking to Amazon Prime after netting the only goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday night, Kai Havertz admitted that “everyone has to step up” as the Gunners face an extended period without Bukayo Saka.
The England international has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Havertz revealed that “we know he’s important, but we are ready for the challenge [of playing without him].”
“He’s a massive player for us […] but we have to adapt,” he insisted. Declan Rice echoed that viewpoint, suggesting that “tonight was different without him. He’s obviously been our main main for the last couple of years, so we’re going to have to adapt, for sure.”
Embed from Getty ImagesAdapt they did. Friday’s victory was far from pretty; it was a hard-fought slog at times, but Mikel Arteta’s side ended the night with another three points – enough to move them up to second in the Premier League table and within six points of leaders Liverpool.
“Three points at home is nice,” Havertz reflected. “A tough opponent, [it was] hard to break them down. They didn’t have a proper chance so we controlled the game quite well, but we should have scored one or two more.”
Rice noted that “it’s been a constant theme for us recently, dominating games but teams have been coming with low blocks and putting a lot of players behind the ball.”
“That’s the Premier League, it’s so tough,” Havertz added, appearing exhausted as he accepted his Player of the Match award.
FEATURED IMAGE: Tom McAtee