Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard react on social media as Arsenal star scores first goal for club in Bournemouth win

Arsenal midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard offered their support to under-fire star Kai Havertz after his first goal for the club against Bournemouth on Saturday (September 30) in a 4-0 away Premier League win.

Havertz joined the Gunners from Chelsea for £65 million in the summer but has failed to make the desired impact. He failed to register a goal contribution in nine games across competitions before the clash against Bournemouth. His performances were also heavily criticised by fans and pundits alike.

Havertz, though, ended his duck in Arsenal's win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The Gunners received a penalty in the 53rd minute, which Odegaard and Bukayo Saka gave to the German, who made no mistake.

After the game, Odegaard shared an Instagram story with Havertz, with the caption:

"Well done brother"

Rice also posted a story with the German midfielder, writing:

"My brother man!!! Buzzing for you"

Havertz also shared an Instagram post after the game, with the caption:

"Solid team performance. Appreciate all the support today from my teammates and the travelling fans. Means a lot #Together"

In the game, Saka opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Odegaard scored from the spot in the 44th. Havertz added the third goal in the 53rd minute before Ben White completed the scoring in the third minute of stoppage time

With the win, Arsenal remain the only unbeaten English team across competitions this season.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on facing Manchester City next week

The Gunners have started the 2023-24 season brilliantly after missing out on the Premier League title last season against Manchester City.

They're unbeaten across competitions and face City in the league on Sunday (October 8). However, before that, Arsenal travel to face RC Lens in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday (October 3).

After the win over Bournemouth, manager Mikel Arteta talked about the preparations for the big game against Manchester City (via Arsenal.com):

"I feel great we have won the game. That’s the only thing we can control, I am just thinking on that bus, how we can prepare Lens, it’s going to be a really tough match away from home on Tuesday to try to win it, and City will be the next step, but it’s taking a lot of good things and move them for Tuesday and again try to make the right decision with the line-up and squad to maintain the level we are showing."

The Gunners are third in the Premier League, just a point behind leaders Manchester City. A win next week could take them above City or to the top of the table, based on other results.