Kai Havertz will aim to play a pivotal role for Arsenal in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The match holds added significance for the German forward, who moved from Chelsea to Arsenal in 2023 after a three-year stint that included winning the Champions League and Club World Cup.
Havertz, 26, has spoken about how criticism of his performances affected his personal life, particularly his wife Sophia Weber. 'Football is our life. If you lose a game, of course, you don't have an easy life as well,' he said. 'I think everyone at home, especially my girlfriend, has had some tough weeks as well in the last weeks and months.'
Weber, a model and influencer with over 500,000 Instagram followers, faced online abuse after Havertz missed a penalty in Arsenal's FA Cup loss to Manchester United last January. She shared screenshots of vile messages, leading Hertfordshire Police to arrest a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of malicious communications.
Despite the challenges, Havertz credits his relationship with keeping him grounded. 'No matter how well I played, I come home and my girlfriend wants me to put the plates into the dishwasher,' he told the Guardian in 2023. The couple, who married in July 2024, are expecting their first child.
