Arsenal midfielder Kai Havertz has opened up about the initial challenges he faced transitioning to the Emirates following his transfer from Chelsea.
In an interview with Sky Deutschland, the German international reflected on his early struggles and finding acceptance within the club.
“For me, when I moved to Chelsea, it was normal that you needed a little time to arrive and to get to know everyone properly and to have a good relationship on the pitch,” Havertz explained. “And it was clear to me that it might not ‘click’ in the first few days, but rather that it will take a few weeks.”
Havertz acknowledged his reserved personality, stating, “I’m someone who doesn’t come out of my shell so easily in a new environment, but for me, it always takes a few weeks or a few months.”
However, the 24-year-old now emphasises feeling settled at Arsenal, expressing his contentment: “Nowadays it definitely clicked. I feel extremely comfortable. I love the club, I love the players, the staff, and I love the fans.
“So, for me it [moving to Arsenal] was absolutely the right thing to do and I’m just happy to be here and fight for titles this year. We still have two titles that can be won and now the important weeks of the season begin and I personally, and of course the whole team, will do everything to win titles.”
Havertz attributed this feeling of belonging to the supportive environment at the club and the acceptance from Arsenal fans, who have even created a chant in his honour: “€60m down the drain.. Kai Havertz scores again.” And score again he did this weekend, netting Arsenal’s second against Brighton to bring him to 10 for the season. Last season, he scored nine.
Havertz also emphasised his appreciation for the fan support: “It was an amazing feeling, especially because I generally think the chant is really cool. It’s just nice when you score a goal that the fans celebrate it so much, that the fans are so behind you, then in bad times. I think that’s extremely important for a footballer because you can’t be at your highest performance level every day.
“It’s normal that things always fluctuate a little bit. And that’s why it feels extremely nice for me. I like the chant, I like the melody. So, for me there’s nothing wrong with it.”
Havertz’s newfound confidence and form have been a valuable asset to Arsenal’s title charge this season. Despite some early inconsistency, he has played a role in the Gunners’ topping the Premier League table.
As the season enters its decisive phase, both Havertz and the club will look to maintain this momentum and fight for silverware. Asked if he would prefer to win the Premier League or Champions League, Havertz said, “It’s impossible to decide. Of course, the Premier League is my focus right now because I’m just back at the club and doing everything I can to win this title. And the Champions League as well. And as soon as the season is over for me, my focus is of course entirely on the European Championships and I will do everything I can to be more successful than I have been for a long time.”