Arteta praises Havertz for late penalty against old club Leverkusen

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta described Kai Havertz's 89th-minute spot-kick versus his previous team Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesdays Champions League round of 16 opener as an "extraordinary" narrative.

The replacement Havertz took the penalty and found the net, securing a 1-1 draw for the away side before the second leg at the Emirates next week.

The German striker had a ten-year stint at Leverkusen before joining Premier League outfit Chelsea in 2020, where he lifted the Champions League trophy, and then transferred to Arsenal in 2023.

"Football creates wild narratives," Arteta remarked to the media.

"Naturally its remarkable that Kai comes back after all this time and slots away the penalty. Its a fantastic tale."

Havertz entered the pitch to enthusiastic cheers in the 74th minute and calmly placed the ball beyond Leverkusen keeper Janis Blaswich.

The player from Germany has been sidelined for much of the campaign due to a knee problem, yet he mentioned the tension of the moment did not faze him, even with a "rather lengthy" delay while VAR reviewed the call.

"Spot-kicks in the dying moments are rarely straightforward. The interval from the whistle to the kick seemed endless. Yet in such instances you must stay focused," Havertz shared with journalists.

"These are the scenarios Ive trained for over the years, to deliver when it counts.

"I am familiar with the ground and have successfully taken plenty of penalties from that position.

"Naturally I feel for Leverkusen, but such is the nature of the game."

Leverkusen skipper Robert Andrich lines up for Germany with Havertz, who handles penalties for the national side.

Andrich admitted he anticipated the success even before the ball crossed the line.

"Indeed, I expected it. Kai excels from 12 yards," Andrich commented.