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Arsenal attacker Kai Havertz has thanked Gunners fans for their support during the 4-0 win over AFC Bournemouth. The 24-year-old scored his first goal for the club after enduring a difficult first seven games.

Havertz, 24, joined the Gunners from Chelsea in the summer for around £65million after three years in west London. The Germany international has started five Premier League games - all in midfield - but has struggled to make an impact for Mikel Arteta's side.

Despite receiving criticism from supporters and pundits in recent weeks, the former Bayer Leverkusen forward finally ended his barren run in the final third when he converted from the penalty spot for Arsenal's third.

Usual penalty takers Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka - who had both already scored in the first half - took a backseat for the Gunners' second spot-kick of the afternoon before Havertz made it 3-0.

Supporters in the Vitality Stadium showed their support for the versatile star with a brand new chant and Havertz has thanked the travelling fans for their backing. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he said: "Solid team performance. Appreciate all the support today from my teammates and the travelling fans. Means a lot #together."

Havertz has struggled to impress in his opening two months at Arsenal. However, Arteta has spoken about his delight to see the attacker shine. "I'm really happy for the win, but I'm even happier to be part of a team that shows the human qualities that they did today," he said.

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"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've done it in a really natural way. I'm delighted they made that decision. And so thankful as well to our supporters for the way they sang his name and made him feel today. If there's a player who deserves that it's Kai Havertz. So, so happy for him."

Asked what the goal could do for his confidence, the Gunners boss continued: "Probably it will change everything. If he had any question marks about how we feel about him, about what he does, I think they are out.

"I think in sport - Usain Bolt said it once - 'I have to train four years to run nine seconds'. Sometimes you have to do a lot and you don't see that. In that moment, you see it. I think after everything he's been through in the last few weeks that moment is worth all of it, so really happy for him."

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