Arsenal forward Kai Havertz took a public dig at his former club following his standout performance in Sunday's 2-1 London derby victory over Chelsea.
The German international posted a provocative message reading "LDN, still red" on his social media accounts shortly after the full-time whistle at the Emirates Stadium on September 6.
Havertz impacts the derby
Havertz directly orchestrated the comeback victory against the club he represented between 2020 and 2023.
Chelsea initially took a second-minute lead through Morgan Rogers before Havertz equalised with an intelligent 25th-minute strike at the near post.
The forward subsequently produced a crucial dummy to allow Christos Tzolis's pass to reach Martin Ødegaard, who scored the 50th-minute winner.
It's a captain's goal 🔴©️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 6, 2026
The Gunners lead for the first time today 💪
📺 Stream #ARSCHE on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc #SSFootball | #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/DVrjcZHXRx
Stoking the London rivalry
The post-match social media post deliberately stoked the long-standing regional rivalry between the two capital clubs.
A Chelsea victory would have created a different narrative, allowing the Blues to claim that London was blue.
Instead, Arsenal extended their unbeaten Premier League run against Chelsea to 10 matches while maintaining their perfect start to the 2026/27 campaign.
LDN. Still red. pic.twitter.com/xfsY6nAk2h
— Kai Havertz (@kaihavertz29) September 6, 2026
Fan reactions
Arsenal supporters praised the 27-year-old on social media, enjoying his willingness to wind up his former employers.
Bro hates Chelsea 😂😂😂
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) September 6, 2026
Chelsea fans gave him crazy stick even after he won the UCL for them. Arsenal fans on the other hand supported him through very difficult periods in his initial months here. He does not forget, he loves us. https://t.co/w5hAgreSh8
— Sash ~ (@ltarsenal) September 6, 2026
Conversely, Chelsea fans attempted to fire back at the forward, referencing his mixed individual form during his three-year stint at Stamford Bridge.
Leaving Chelsea must hurt so bad.
— London's Finest💙 (@Jao_P9) September 6, 2026
This is what happens when you get dumped by the love of your life. You spend your entire life trying to prove that you're in a better place even when you're not.
You don’t even need this. We gave you a UCL. Sighs.
— Alabi (@the_Lawrenz) September 6, 2026
Genuinely question, what did we do to this guy? His greatest achievement in life was with Chelsea when we won that champions league, he always got respect from our match going fans yet he feels the need to go overboard when he plays us. https://t.co/PtnieU9Fc3
— londonwillalwaysbeblue (@ldnwillbeblue) September 6, 2026
You sure about that? pic.twitter.com/myAmk6qN4j
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) September 6, 2026
Havertz departed Chelsea, having won the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup before crossing the capital to join Mikel Arteta's side.