02 October 2023 , 03:00
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Arsenal are sitting pretty in the Premier League after extending their electric start to the new season.
The Gunners thumped hapless Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium, the goals coming from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Ben White. It leaves Arsenal just one point behind current leaders and reigning champions Manchester City.
They will certainly be aiming to carry that momentum into their second Champions League game of the season. Mikel Arteta’s side travel to France for a clash with Lens on Tuesday evening.
Take a look at all of the headlines coming out of the Emirates Stadium over the past 24 hours...
Arteta makes Havertz prediction
Mikel Arteta has claimed “everything will change” for playmaker Havertz after he finally opened his Gunners goalscoring account. The former Chelsea man scored from the spot to extend Arsenal’s lead to three versus Bournemouth.
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Arteta believes that the strike is the catalyst he needed to finally launch his career in North London. Speaking after his side’s success on the south coast, he said: "If there’s a player who deserves that it’s him.
“Probably it will change everything. If he had any question marks about how we feel about him they are out."
Read his thoughts in full here
Rice agrees with Arteta
Sticking with Havertz’s debut goal for the Gunners, fellow summer signing Declan Rice has also been full of praise for the forward. “It was emotional, for the fans, for Kai, for everyone involved, because we want him to succeed so much,” he said. "Honestly, he works his socks off every day in training. In games he gives absolutely everything.
“He’s had chances to score this year, hadn’t scored yet, but today to slot away a penalty in that high-pressure moment shows the mindset that he’s got, shows the talent he’s got and his all-round performance was so special.”
Read his assessment here
Declan Rice celebrates with Kai Havertz after his goal against Bournemouth (Getty Images)Who was Arsenal's man-of-the-match against Bournemouth? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Smith Rowe consoled at Bournemouth
While Havertz enjoyed a positive afternoon on the South Coast, the same cannot quite be said of Emile Smith Rowe. The academy graduate had a couple of chances to score late on but was denied by Neto.
He was pictured looking downbeat during the post-match celebrations, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Arteta’s assistant Albert Stuivenberg going on to have a quiet word with him.
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Find out the full story here