Kai Havertz has revealed that Arsenal's Carabao Cup final defeat earlier this season served as a galvanizing force, driving the team to come back stronger and ultimately win the Premier League. The German striker, who scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final for Chelsea, is now focused on helping Arsenal triumph against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday.
Reflections on the 2021 Triumph
Havertz still cherishes the memory of Chelsea's surprise victory over Manchester City in Porto. "It is something I will never forget," he said. "As a kid I could have never dreamed I would score a goal in the final and win that game. I will always be proud of it. I just try to take that feeling and hopefully it will happen again."
Underdog Status and Preparation
Arsenal enter the final as underdogs, similar to Chelsea in 2021 when they faced a dominant City side. Havertz acknowledged the parallels but noted the difference in Arsenal's current form. "We were the underdogs on that day, for sure," he said. "We hadn't had the best season. But now it is completely different." Arsenal secured their first Premier League title since 2004, and Havertz, preferred to summer signing Viktor Gyökeres, is relishing the chance to play in European club football's showpiece match for the second time.
"There is just so much history with it," Havertz said of the Champions League final. "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 play in it is unreal."
Havertz's Journey at Arsenal
Many were surprised when Arsenal paid £65 million for Havertz two years after his Champions League heroics. Despite missing three months of last season with a hamstring injury, he finished as top scorer. He hopes to repay Mikel Arteta's faith on the biggest stage. "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," Havertz said. "I am very thankful for that time, how he helped me a lot when I had difficult moments."
Havertz missed nearly five months after a knee injury on the opening day of this season, undergoing two surgeries and spending weeks in a brace. "I was in a bad place when I was injured," he admitted. "You are just inside a building. You cannot go out, you cannot walk, you do nothing. But all the players and staff helped me believe in myself and to get back to my best."
Turning Point: Carabao Cup Final
Havertz highlighted the Carabao Cup final loss to City as the season's turning point. "It was a moment where we felt we could do so much better and there was so much more in this team and everyone needed to lift their spirits," he said. "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."
His goals against Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting in the Champions League, as well as crucial Premier League strikes, underscored his importance. He also scored in April's defeat at the Etihad. "You are always frustrated when you lose finals, so to come back from it and win the league like this is great," he added.
Confidence Ahead of PSG Clash
Confidence is high as Arsenal face PSG. "We have been fighting on the highest level for a couple of years now and we have finally won the Premier League. That gives us a big boost," Havertz said. "It doesn't matter if you are an underdog or whatever. We are going to go on the pitch and are going to beat them."
Havertz's journey from injury to the brink of another Champions League final exemplifies resilience. As he prepares to face PSG, he carries the lessons of past triumphs and setbacks, determined to make the most of this opportunity.
