Kai Havertz still remembers every detail from the night Chelsea stunned Manchester City to win the Champions League in Porto back in 2021. For the German forward, scoring the winning goal in Europe’s biggest club match remains one of the defining moments of his career.

The Arsenal attacker admits the memory continues to stay with him years later, especially because it once felt impossible when he was growing up.

He explained that lifting the trophy and deciding the final with a goal was something beyond anything he imagined as a child. That experience, according to Havertz, is a feeling he hopes to relive once again this weekend.

Arsenal Ready for Another Huge Test

Arsenal head into Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest carrying momentum from a historic domestic campaign. Despite that, many still see the North London side as outsiders against the French champions.

Havertz has experienced this situation before.

When Chelsea faced Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the 2021 final, few expected Thomas Tuchel’s side to prevail. City had dominated the Premier League title race that season, while Chelsea only managed to finish fourth.

The Germany international acknowledged Chelsea entered that match as clear underdogs, particularly after an inconsistent season. This time, however, he believes Arsenal are arriving under very different circumstances.

Premier League Success Changes the Mood

Arsenal approach the final fresh from ending their long wait for a Premier League title, securing their first league crown since 2004. Havertz played a key role during the run-in and even celebrated alongside Win, the club’s well-known training ground labrador, in a social media post after the triumph.

The 26-year-old is also expected to feature from the start against PSG. In recent fixtures against Manchester City and Burnley, Mikel Arteta opted for Havertz ahead of big-money striker Viktor Gyökeres, who joined the club last summer for £64 million.

For Havertz, the chance to appear in another Champions League final carries enormous significance because of the competition’s history and prestige.

He spoke about growing up watching the tournament’s biggest nights and described playing in the final itself as an unreal experience. Yet he also stressed that simply reaching the occasion is not enough — Arsenal still have one final challenge left if they want to lift the trophy.

Repaying Arteta’s Trust

Arsenal’s decision to spend around £65 million to sign Havertz from Chelsea initially raised doubts among many observers. But the forward has gradually justified the investment.

Last season he finished as Arsenal’s leading scorer despite missing the final three months with a hamstring problem. Now he hopes to reward Arteta again on the biggest possible stage.

Havertz praised the Arsenal manager for the support he has provided since bringing him to the Emirates. He credited Arteta not only for helping improve his game on the pitch, but also for guiding him through difficult periods away from football.

The German added that winning the Premier League was also a way for the squad to give something back to their manager after the work he has done rebuilding the club.

Injury Struggles Tested Him

This campaign has not been straightforward for Havertz.

He spent close to five months on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury during Arsenal’s opening-day clash against Manchester United. Although the original expectation suggested he would only miss several weeks, the recovery became far more complicated.

Two separate operations were eventually required, while long stretches in a knee brace left him confined indoors and unable to move normally.

Havertz admitted the period was mentally difficult because he felt isolated from everyday life and football. Still, he credited Arsenal’s players and staff for helping him maintain belief throughout the rehabilitation process.

Their encouragement became even more important as the season progressed and Arsenal continued competing for major honours.

According to Havertz, teammates constantly reminded him after January that there was still plenty left to fight for. That support helped change his mindset and motivated him to return stronger.

Even while injured, he tried to remain involved around the squad and contribute away from the pitch whenever possible.

Big Goals in Key Moments

Havertz has repeatedly delivered in decisive matches throughout Arsenal’s European campaign.

His strikes against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 and Sporting CP in the quarter-finals proved vital in guiding Arsenal to Budapest. Domestically, he also produced an important winner against Burnley — his first Premier League goal at the Emirates in over a year — which helped set up Arsenal’s title celebrations the following evening.

He later found the net again during April’s defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

Interestingly, Havertz believes Arsenal’s season truly changed after their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City rather than after that league loss away to City.

He explained that the disappointment from losing the cup final forced the squad to reflect on their performances and recognize they were capable of much more. Following the subsequent international break, the players returned with a stronger mentality and improved form.

That reaction ultimately played a major role in Arsenal’s successful title push.

Confidence Growing Before PSG Clash

Winning the Premier League has given Arsenal renewed belief ahead of their showdown with PSG.

Havertz pointed out that the squad has consistently competed at the highest level over the last few seasons, but finally securing the league title has provided an additional mental boost.

For him, labels such as “underdogs” mean little once the final begins.

Arsenal, he insists, will step onto the pitch convinced they can defeat PSG and bring the Champions League trophy back to North London.