“I couldn’t believe my Arsenal teammate was being harshly criticized, so I felt compelled to stand up for him.”

Arsenal star Jorginho has shared how he supported teammate Kai Havertz during the German’s challenging start in north London after his big-money move from Chelsea.

Havertz, who joined Arsenal in 2023 for £65 million following a successful stint at Chelsea that included scoring the winner in the Champions League final under Thomas Tuchel, initially struggled to adapt. In his first six league games, he registered no goal contributions and faced criticism, with questions about his role in Mikel Arteta’s setup.

However, Havertz has since found his rhythm, excelling as a center-forward and contributing to Arsenal’s attack. Reflecting on the early struggles, Jorginho, who also played alongside Havertz at Chelsea, revealed how he offered encouragement during tough times.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Jorginho praised Havertz’s resilience and skill: “He’s an unbelievable player. When people were criticizing him at the start, I couldn’t believe it. I kept telling him, ‘Kai, don’t listen to them. You know what you’re capable of.’”

Havertz’s form improved significantly, finishing last season with 13 goals, including a streak of four consecutive matches in February and March. Jorginho highlighted the German’s growing confidence and physicality in the Premier League: “He’s getting tougher every day, and the confidence he now has is incredible. He’s so clever, always finding solutions in tough situations.”

Despite Arsenal’s recent struggles in the league, Havertz has been a bright spot, scoring five goals this season. Jorginho concluded by emphasizing Havertz’s tenacity: “He’s a baller, a big one. He’s learning to react to challenges, getting stronger and better ev

ery day.”