Arsenal star believes League Cup final is chance to make statement

Kai Havertz believes Arsenal have the chance to make a statement with a win over Manchester City in the League Cup final on Sunday afternoon.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Kai Havertz of Arsenal (obscured) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on February 03, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Arsenal are set to face Manchester City in the League Cup final on Sunday afternoon, which would be a big game in any circumstances.

But Arsenal forward Kai Havertz believes the fact the two teams are also involved in a Premier League title race is going to add an extra dimension to this particular final, adding that the Gunners want to use the match to make a statement.

“It’s going to be a big one,” Havertz said. “Arsenal versus City always is, but this especially given the circumstances in the league, it’s going to be amazing.”

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal waits for Kai Havertz of Arsenal during a Arsenal FC training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on March 10, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) — Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

“We want to show we are right there and want to show them that we’re desperate to win trophies this year, and that starts here,” Havertz added. “We will prepare very well for that and try to bring the trophy home.

“It’s always special to play at Wembley Stadium. We’re close to winning a trophy and it doesn’t matter what trophy, they’re always important.

“Personally, I’ve worked all my life to play these kinds of games. We don’t have loads of games like this to play in your career, I want to enjoy it and win.”

Kai Havertz of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on January 14, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) — Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Havertz is obviously a big part of the reason Arsenal are here to begin with, having scored to settle the semi-final tie against his former club Chelsea in February.

But for all the good work Havertz has done in his first 100 appearances for the Gunners over the last few years, the only silverware he has to show for it is the Community Shield – won against Manchester City at Wembley in 2023.

The hope is that Arsenal can change that over the next few months, as the team are still in contention for the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup trophies. Before all of that, the full focus right now is on the League Cup final on Sunday.