Kai Havertz Becomes Highest-Scoring German in Premier League History With 46th Goal, Passing Gundogan
Kai Havertz is now the highest-scoring German in Premier League history. The Arsenal striker scored his 46th Premier League goal in the 16th minute of the 1-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday, November 1. The goal took him past Ilkay Gundogan, who had held the record with 45.
Havertz had been level with Gundogan on 45 goals before the match. He broke the tie with a tap-in at the back post. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson gave the ball away, and Declan Rice picked it up on the right wing. Rice sent a low cross into the box, and Havertz was in the right place to finish it. It was also his first Premier League goal since the Chelsea game on September 6.
| Rank | Player | Premier League goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kai Havertz | 46 |
| 2 | Ilkay Gundogan | 45 |
| 3 | Pascal Gross | 34 |
| 4 | Mesut Ozil | 33 |
Of his 46 goals, 19 came for Chelsea and 27 have come for Arsenal. His best season in England so far was 2023-24, when he scored 13 league goals for Arsenal. Gundogan scored his 45 across two spells at Manchester City. Brighton's Pascal Gross is third on the list with 34, and he is one of three active players in the top 10.
Havertz's tally has grown quickly since Arsenal moved him into a central striker's role. He started at Anfield ahead of Viktor Gyokeres. That was despite a poor showing in Arsenal's Carabao Cup loss to Fleetwood Town in midweek. Manager Mikel Arteta's decision to keep faith in him paid off in just 16 minutes.
The goal was also a huge one for the result. It was the only goal of the game, and it handed Arsenal their first league win at Anfield since September 2012. The three points took the Premier League champions three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.
Havertz moved to England in 2020 when he joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen. He won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and scored the winning goal in the final. He then moved to Arsenal in 2023, and he now holds one of the most notable scoring records for a German in the English top flight.