From punchline to game-winner - Arsenal's Kai Havertz proving doubters wrong amid form surge

Arsenal's Kai Havertz is in a rich vein of form and has been one of the main contributors to the Gunners' recent form.

When Kai Havertz was signed in the summer, the Arsenal fanbase had a collective feeling of confusion. The sum that was paid didn't seem to fit with a player that has struggled ever since he stepped foot in the Premier League.

But things take time and while Kai's start to life in north London wasn't good at all, Mikel Arteta stuck by the German and now, he is being rewarded.

In Havertz's first 23 league games, he managed just four goals and an assist, but over the last four weeks, his form has skyrocketed. Armed with renewed confidence ever since Arsenal returned from Dubai, Kai has been superb as he finally looks at home in north London.

A goal in four consecutive games along with two assists have the German in a rich vein of form. It culminated in his later header that gave Arsenal a narrow 2-1 win over Brentford, along with two assists, has that sent the Gunners to the summit of the league table.

His song could be heard ringing out around the Emirates after he secured the win over Brentford as the once-maligned German is now a fan favorite.

“As a kid, I think you dream that you're going to have moments like this in your career and today I had something like this,” Havertz said via arsenal.com. “[The supporters] made it very special to me and I'm very thankful to have this moment. Thank you to all of them. You always hope for that [the reception he gets from fans]. I know maybe it wasn't from the beginning but I always try to work hard and just doesn't drop my confidence. I just give my best every game and I did it so I'm happy now that I’ve had some of those moments now."

With Arsenal now in the driver's seat in the title race thanks to Havertz's goal, the next step is to qualify for the next round of the Champions League as the Gunners take on FC Porto facing a 1-0 deficit.

But based on their recent form since losing to FC Porto, Arsenal will be feeling good about its chances and with Havertz is undeniable form and the team seemingly hitting on all cylinders, the Gunners can feel good about their chances of progressing.

But while the title race and Champions League take the headlines, we shouldn't forget about Havertz's journey from being a punchline to a game-winner for Arsenal.