Kai Havertz reveals key Man City moment that helped Arsenal win the title | OneFootball

One moment in the title race proved pivotal as the Gunners ended 22-year title drought

Preparing for the biggest match in club football, Kai Havertz pinpoints another final as the crucial point in Arsenal's season.

The Gunners were still on for the quadruple in late March when they faced Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

That formed the start of a poor run for Arsenal but Havertz believes it still ultimately changed something in the minds of the players.

Having experienced that disappointment, Arsenal were determined not to do so again. Two months later, they were crowned Premier League champions.

Kai Havertz reacts to Man City going ahead in the Carabao Cup final

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"I think a big one was the Carabao Cup final when we lost against City," Havertz said.

"It was a moment where we felt like we could do so much better and there was so much more in this team, and everyone needed to lift their spirits.

"There was the international break after and we just said to ourselves that we need to come back stronger. From that moment, things changed a bit and we were more successful.

"For me, that was a big moment. You are always frustrated when you lose finals, so to come back from it and win the league like this is great."

Havertz and his team-mates have an even bigger occasion facing them in Budapest on Saturday night.

Arsenal are in the Champions League final for just the second time in the club's history, two decades on from defeat to Barcelona in Paris.

It is the ultimate stage and one that Havertz has graced before, scoring the only goal in the 2021 final when Chelsea beat Manchester City.

"Personally, it is something I will never forget," he said.

It is a moment I will never forget. I will always be proud of it. I just try to take that feeling to Saturday and, hopefully, I will get that feeling again

Kai Havertz on scoring Champions League-winning goal for Chelsea in 2021

"I think we were the underdogs on that day, for sure. We hadn’t had the best season - but obviously now it is completely different.

“For me, personally, as a kid I could have never dreamt that I would score a goal in the final and win that game.

"It is a moment I will never forget. I will always be proud of it. I just try to take that feeling to Saturday and, hopefully, I will get that feeling again."

Havertz suffered a knee injury on the first weekend of the season and then spent almost five months on the sidelines.

There have been some setbacks since his return but the German has largely been available for the second half of the season and has delivered some big moments.

Havertz scored key goals against Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting, as well as assisting the only goal of the match against Newcastle last month.

He faces a fight to get into the side ahead of Viktor Gyokeres on Saturday night but he is adamant the fitness issues are now behind him.

Kai Havertz with the Premier League trophy

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"Injuries are always bad - and it was bad for me," Havertz said.

"But I am just happy that I am back now. I am feeling amazing and I hope that I can help the team also."

Havertz is a player often trusted by Arteta in the biggest matches. It was Havertz who got the nod to lead the line away at City at the Etihad Stadium in April.

Arteta was determined to sign Havertz from Chelsea in 2023 and having got his wish, has spoken highly of the forward at almost every opportunity since then.

Asked what impact Arteta has had on him, Havertz said: "A very, very big one. He was the one who brought me to the club and he taught me so much stuff on the pitch - and off the pitch as well.

"I am very thankful for that time, how he helped me a lot when I had difficult moments. That is also very important. I am just very thankful to have him now for three years.

"I think it is nice that we also got him a little gift (the Premier League title) back now! He brought the club back to where it belongs."