Kai Havertz on injury hell, Champions League dreams and the ‘big moment’ that turned Arsenal’s season | OneFootball

There were plenty of moments which filled Arsenal with belief that this would be a historic season, like the 3-1 win over Bayern Munich in November in a battle of perfect records in the Champions League, or the 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa around Christmas, or hammering Tottenham in both north London derbies, just because they could.

But Kai Havertz pinpoints a defeat, rather than a victory, as the catalyst for a season which has taken Arsenal to the Premier League title and the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.

“I think a big one was the Carabao Cup final when we lost against City,” Havertz says. “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. I think, 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 was great.”

It has been a tough season for Havertz personally. He recovered from a hamstring injury in pre-season to make the first game of the campaign, against Manchester United at Old Trafford in August, but sustained a knee injury a few days later. He underwent a “successful minor surgical procedure” before what was meant to be a brief lay-off, yet he didn’t return until January.

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Kai Havertz has played his role in Arsenal’s success this season (PA)

“I was in a bad place when I was injured,” he says. “It’s not nice, especially because it came after a big injury … I had two surgeries and was in a brace for weeks. You are just inside a building. You cannot go out. You cannot walk, you do nothing.

“For me, things shifted when I went out on the pitch for the first time. Then you can feel the grass again, you can put your boots on again. I think that is always the big moment when you are in recovery. All the players and staff, they helped me believe in myself and get back to my best. Everyone told me from January how there is so much to play for. That is where my momentum also shifted and I’m just happy that I am here again now.”

Havertz has not started a Champions League knockout game this season, instead playing his role from the bench, and that could be where he starts Saturday’s final against Paris Saint-Germain.

But when Mikel Arteta needs to change the game, he is likely to turn to Havertz not only for his quality but for his experience. Not many players can say they have scored the winner in a Champions League final, but Havertz has, for Chelsea against Manchester City in 2021.

“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.”

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Havertz has scored six goals this season despite limited game time (Reuters)

Three years since swapping west London for north, what impact has Arteta made on his career?

“A very, very big one,” Havertz says. “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.”

Arsenal waited 22 years to win the Premier League, but they have never won the European Cup. It is why the Champions League trophy would, perhaps, be the greatest gift of all.

“Along with the Premier League, it is probably the hardest competition to win,” Havertz adds. “There is just so much history with it. So many big players played in it. And to be there, to compete to win the trophy, is amazing.

“I remember as a child I watched all the games, and just to watch that final is something very special, so to actually play in it is unreal, and I think we are all very happy. You need to get there, and then you still have to make that step and win it. It is going to be hard, but I think we are going to be well prepared.”