Interview with Kai Havertz: Arsenal forward claims Mikel Arteta's team is stepping up despite of injured captain Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard, the captain of Arsenal, performed an act that he later called a "beautiful moment" about a year ago this week.

Now leading his team 2-0 and having earned a penalty kick against Bournemouth, the captain of Arsenal sent the ball to Kai Havertz.

After a lucrative transfer from Chelsea, the German took some time to adjust. After scoring his first goal at Arsenal with a penalty, he celebrated with his captain and the away supporters.

Mikel Arteta expressed his gratitude for his team's "empathy" and solidarity in allowing Havertz to create an Arsenal account, saying he hoped it would "change everything for him". The German is a totally different player and person once a full year has passed.

"I feel fantastic, incredibly fantastic. My home is Arsenal, and I like being here every day." Havertz stated while on the Arsenal practice pitch.

"I believe that some people will mistrust me when I move from a rival club in London to another club and they pay a large sum of money for me. However, I was aware of my strengths and had faith in my abilities. The manager and my teammates also provided me with a great deal of support, as those circumstances are not always simple. 
"I believe that at one point it just started working since everyone was there for me and willing to assist. I believe that I matured greatly; it's just what happens when things don't go your way—you develop both personally and as a player."

Arteta has been a part of shaping Havertz into the confident and, more importantly, content player he is today practically every day since Havertz first arrived at the club and scored his first goal.

"If you have confidence sometimes things that don't normally work, they work," Havertz stated. "Every time I walk onto the pitch I want to feel better than my opponent and have confidence to play my game.

"Obviously, everything was brand-new when I arrived; I haven't worked with a coach who is as meticulous about the minor things on the pitch.

There are certainly a lot of things, but some of them were novel to me and I wasn't even aware of their necessity. I learnt that a lot of things are crucial, and I don't want to reveal our strategy."

Would those crucial Arteta discussions then take place on a daily basis? "His door is always open when one of us feels the need to talk, though not every day. Simply put, it makes you feel excellent as a player."

Havertz grinned sarcastically and responded, "I think he has loads, but one of his biggest strengths is the competitiveness," when asked if that was Arteta's best coaching attribute. In my opinion, it is evident in every game, regardless of the setting.

"Whoever you play, he wants everything to be flawless, even if it's already 4-0 to us in the eighty minutes or whatever. Since there isn't time to relax, I believe that's advantageous for us gamers. If you do, he quickly awakens you up.

"I think we're all very competitive, but if you have a manager who really lives it every day, it helps you on the pitch as well to be competitive."

It is impossible to undervalue Odegaard's influence on Havertz, along with that of his boss. Odegaard has welcomed the German international and made him feel like a member of the Arsenal family ever since he moved across London.

Havertz claims that he and the Norwegian share a lot in common and are close friends, going on vacation together with their partners.

Odegaard is recovering well from a serious ankle injury sustained while away on international service, but the team is definitely without a major player when someone is this important to the group's success.

Havertz describes Odegaard as someone who "speaks to us and is here every day in the meetings." "With so many young players and players with room to grow, I believe he would be the ideal captain for our squad. He supports everyone off the pitch as well.

"To be honest, I didn't expect he would talk that much in the locker room and other places before I arrived to Arsenal, but he talks a lot before the game. When things aren't going your way and you need someone to step up, he's always there on the pitch."

Who is, then, covering the gap on the pitch? "It's not about one player but I think everyone has to step up when one of your most important players is missing," Havertz stated. "I believe that right now we are doing it quite successfully.

"It helps that certain players talk a lot in the locker room these days. While it is definitely our hope that Martin will return soon, we must carry out our duties in his absence."

In an attempt to get into the first team and start a new chapter in his career, Raheem Sterling, like Havertz, made the same trip across London to join Arsenal in the last few hours of the summer transfer window. It raises the question of whether Havertz was advised by the winger prior to joining Arteta's team.

"Having him back is so pleasant. I didn't talk to him before he arrived as I was completely unaware of his arrival." Havertz stated.

"I just noticed that he's almost signed with Arsenal when browsing via my phone. I already had a strong relationship with him at Chelsea, so it was lovely to see him again after our match against Brighton.

"He has demonstrated time and time again in the Premier League that he is a world-class player. He's a welcome addition, and I have no doubt that he will have a terrific time here."

Havertz and Arsenal have endured a physically and psychologically taxing ten days together. With Leicester coming up at home, how can Arsenal make sure they are as prepared as they were for Spurs, Atalanta, and Manchester City away? This journalist need not search far to find the solution.

The club uses buzzwords like "progress," "passion," "winning mentality," "hunger," and "belief" to describe things that push the standards. So does Havertz represent these qualities?

"Yes, I believe that. Sincerely, it taught me a lot last year," he remarked. "You get even more driven to succeed when you're this close to taking home awards.

"I'm fortunate to have received one or two trophies in the past; it's the most pleasant sensation. We're all so eager to succeed, in my opinion. The club wants to provide everything to the supporters because they deserve it, as we haven't done it in a few years."

Havertz is looking to show off his other side of the game against Leicester after seeing little of the ball on Sunday against Manchester City due to Leandro Trossard's red card - despite an incredible defensive effort.

"It's always a big chance of three points and that's what we're going for," he stated. "Obviously, possessing the ball and occasionally needing to adapt is our greatest strength.

"You have to stay in the game even when things aren't going your way. I believe that's what a large team is capable of, and we demonstrated it versus City as well.

"Players that normally are not used to running after the ball for 60 minutes still can do it, but obviously I think it's nicer to have the ball and that's what we want to do on Saturday."