Kai Havertz is eager to relive the greatest moment of his career as he prepares for the Champions League final with Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. The Arsenal striker scored the decisive goal when Chelsea defeated Manchester City in the all-English final in 2021, a moment he describes as a dream come true.
Havertz Reflects on 2021 Triumph
Five years on, Havertz has the opportunity to repeat that success, but he insists Arsenal are far from being underdogs this time. Reflecting on the 2021 final, Havertz said: "Personally, it is something I will never forget. We were the underdogs that day, for sure. We hadn't had the best season, but now it is completely different."
He added: "As a kid, I could never have dreamed that I would score a goal in the final and win that game. It is a moment I will never forget. I just try to take that feeling to next Saturday and, hopefully, I will get that feeling again."
Winning Mentality and Experience
Thomas Tuchel was Chelsea's manager in 2021, and Havertz scored just before half-time. He joined Arsenal two years later and, despite injury setbacks, has brought quality and a winning mentality. Mikel Arteta values that experience, and Havertz's background with Chelsea and the German national team will serve him well. Kepa Arrizabalaga, also part of that Chelsea squad, remains with Havertz at Arsenal.
Havertz believes winning the Champions League is the ultimate test. He said: "Along with the Premier League, it is probably the hardest competition to win. There is so much history, so many big players have played in it. To compete for the trophy is amazing."
Season of Highs and Lows
Havertz admitted the season has been mixed, with the joy of winning the Premier League and frustration from injuries. A low point was losing the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City, but he says they learned from it. "That was a moment where we felt we could do so much better. We said we needed to come back stronger, and from that moment things changed," he explained.
He added: "It feels amazing to win the league. I was in a bad place when I was injured, but all the players and staff helped me believe in myself and get back to my best."
Confidence Against PSG
Havertz insists it does not matter if Arsenal are seen as underdogs against PSG. "I don't even think about that. PSG won it last year, so they were the best team in Europe. But we have so much confidence. We have been fighting at the highest level for years and finally won the Premier League. That gives us a big boost. It doesn't matter if you are an underdog. We are going to go on the pitch and beat them," he concluded.
