Kai Havertz opens up on his injury struggles and why the club’s demanding run-in could be the perfect launchpad for Germany’s summer ambitions.
Kai Havertz insists he is finally back to full fitness and believes Arsenal’s run-in across three competitions will give him the perfect platform to return to the international stage and the World Cup later this year.
The Germany forward, who endured more than a year of setbacks, admitted his frustration with a campaign repeatedly interrupted by injury.
“I had a tough time. It was not easy for me,” Havertz told a press conference ahead of Germany’s friendly against Switzerland.
“I had my first injury in February last year, three and a half months out then comeback and then a setback with the knee injury,” he added.
Having been sidelined since August, Havertz returned to action for Premier League leaders in January, determined to make up for lost time during what could prove a decisive spell for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The 26-year-old is now part of the Germany squad to face Switzerland on Friday and Ghana three days later, his first international involvement in over a year after missing last season’s fixtures through injury.
The timing of his recovery could hardly be better, with Arsenal competing for honours in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. Havertz says the heavy fixture schedule is exactly what he needs to sharpen his rhythm and rebuild confidence ahead of the summer.
“I now feel completely fit,” he said. “I need the one or other game from the start to reach 100 percent but I feel fit to start lasting over 90 minutes.”.
Havertz, who has grown increasingly influential in Arsenal’s attacking system under Arteta, sees the months ahead as an ideal preparation period for his ambitions with Germany.
The 26-year-old is now part of the Germany squad to face Switzerland on Friday and Ghana three days later, his first international involvement in over a year after missing last season’s fixtures through injury.
The timing of his recovery could hardly be better, with Arsenal competing for honours in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. Havertz says the heavy fixture schedule is exactly what he needs to sharpen his rhythm and rebuild confidence ahead of the summer.
“I now feel completely fit,” he said. “I need the one or other game from the start to reach 100 percent but I feel fit to start lasting over 90 minutes.”.
Havertz, who has grown increasingly influential in Arsenal’s attacking system under Arteta, sees the months ahead as an ideal preparation period for his ambitions with Germany.