Top News

There were numerous moments that made Arsenal believe this season could be one for the history books — from their 3-1 victory against Bayern Munich in November during a battle of unbeaten records in the Champions League, to the 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa around Christmas, and dominating Tottenham Hotspur in both north London derbies just because they could.

But for Kai Havertz, the defining moment wasn’t a triumph, but a setback — a loss that sparked Arsenal’s journey to lift the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final in Budapest this Saturday.

“I think a big one was the Carabao Cup final when we lost against City,” Havertz recalls. “That was the point where we realised we could do much better, that the team had so much more potential, and everyone needed to raise their energy. There was an international break after that, and we told ourselves we had to come back stronger.”

“From that point onwards, things started to change and we became more successful. For me, that was a big turning point. Losing a final is always frustrating, so to bounce back from that disappointment and go on to win the league was incredible.”

For Havertz personally, it has been a challenging season. After recovering from a hamstring injury during pre-season to feature in Arsenal’s opening match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in August, he suffered a knee injury just days later. What was expected to be a short lay-off turned into months on the sidelines following what the club described as a “successful minor surgical procedure”, with his return coming only in January.

“I was in a really difficult place mentally when I got injured,” he admits. “It’s tough, especially when it follows another major injury. I had two surgeries and had to wear a brace for weeks. You’re stuck indoors, unable to go out, unable to walk — just doing nothing.”

“Things started to change for me the first time I stepped back onto the pitch. Feeling the grass again, putting on your boots — that’s always the biggest moment during recovery. The players and staff supported me a lot, they helped me believe in myself and regain confidence. From January onwards, everyone reminded me how much there was still to fight for. That’s when my mindset shifted, and I’m just glad to be back now.”

Havertz hasn’t started a Champions League knockout match this season, instead making an impact off the bench — a role he might continue in Saturday’s final against Paris Saint-Germain.

However, when Mikel Arteta needs to change the game, Havertz’s combination of quality and experience will be crucial. Few players can claim to have scored the winning goal in a Champions League final, but Havertz did just that for Chelsea against Manchester City in 2021.

“As a kid, I could never have imagined scoring in a Champions League final and winning it. That moment will stay with me forever. I’ll always be proud of it. I’ll try to carry that same feeling into Saturday’s match and, hopefully, experience it once again.”

Since moving from west London to north three years ago, Havertz has seen his game evolve under Arteta’s guidance.

“He’s had a massive influence on me,” Havertz says. “He was the one who brought me to Arsenal and taught me so much — both on and off the pitch. I’m very grateful for how he stood by me during tough times. That kind of support means a lot. Now, after three years with him, it feels great that we could give him a little gift back — the Premier League title. He’s brought this club back to where it belongs.”

After waiting 22 years to reclaim the Premier League, Arsenal are now chasing their first-ever European Cup. For Havertz, lifting the Champions League trophy would be the ultimate reward.

“Alongside the Premier League, it’s probably the toughest competition to win,” he explains. “It carries so much history, with so many great players who have competed in it. To be part of that, fighting to win the trophy, is an incredible feeling.”

“I remember watching all those finals as a kid, and even then, just seeing that occasion felt special. To actually play in one now feels unreal. We’re all thrilled to be here. The challenge now is not just reaching the final but taking that final step to win it. It’s going to be tough, but we’ll be ready for it.”