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Mikel Arteta hailed the \u201cempathy\u201d of his Arsenal players after what he hopes was a game-changing goal from Kai Havertz in their win at Bournemouth.<\/p>\n
The \u00a365million summer signing from Chelsea had not registered a goal or assist in his first nine games for the Gunners but finally hit the target as he converted a penalty in a 4-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium.<\/p>\n
Arsenal were already two goals to the good through Bukayo Saka\u2019s header and a Martin Odegaard penalty when an on-field decision handed responsibility for a second spot-kick of the afternoon to under-fire Havertz.<\/p>\n
He tucked away his chance to break his duck, as his team-mates and the away end greeted the goal with jubilant celebrations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really happy for the win, but I\u2019m even happier to be part of a team that shows the human qualities that they did today,\u201d Arteta said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWithout me telling them nothing, to show that empathy to a player that has some question marks to resolve externally, they warmed me even more today. They\u2019ve done it in a really natural way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m delighted they made that decision. And so thankful as well to our supporters for the way they sung his name and made him feel today. If there\u2019s a player who deserves that it\u2019s Kai Havertz, so happy for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all tried to give him support and the right tools. He\u2019s doing so many great things in the game. It was about that moment, that was the question that had to be resolved and today he has done it.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo show that level of empathy and understanding, worrying and caring for somebody is just great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Without me telling them nothing, to show that empathy to a player that has some question marks to resolve externally, they warmed me even more today. They\u2019ve done it in a really natural way<\/p>\n
Arteta referenced Olympic champion Usain Bolt when discussing how Havertz deserved his moment in the south coast sunshine following his hard work in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably it will change everything,\u201d the Spaniard replied when asked what the goal could do for Havertz.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he had any question marks about how we feel about him, about what he does, I think they are out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think in sport \u2013 Usain Bolt said it once \u2013 \u2018I have to train four years to run nine seconds\u2019. Sometimes you have to do a lot and you don\u2019t see that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that moment you see it. I think after everything he\u2019s been through in the last few weeks that moment is worth all of it, so really happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The one sour note for Arsenal came as Saka limped off injured for the second game in a row, raising the possibility he could miss next Sunday\u2019s showdown with champions Manchester City.<\/p>\n
Bournemouth, meanwhile, remain winless in the Premier League under new head coach Andoni Iraola.<\/p>\n
The Cherries have come close on previous occasions but that was not the case here, with Iraola admitting the hosts did not deserve a result.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the first time we were not at the level the competition required and we did not finish the game well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor sure this game leaves the worse sensation for me. You can lose against this type of team because they are really good but it is the first game this season where I have felt that we were not at the level.<\/p>\n
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\u201cYou have to be at your best to compete against these teams and we weren\u2019t after the first goal. We cannot concede two penalties and also the first goal is a bit strange, we should be there but we lost the positioning of Saka.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started really well, were doing well but after 1-0 I think they were better than us.\u201d<\/p>\n