Havertz thought Arsenal title parade would be cancelled

Kai Havertz thought Arsenal’s Premier League title parade might be cancelled after their Champions League final defeat, but he’s glad it wasn’t.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyoekeres, Ben White and Martin Odegaard of Arsenal pose for a photograph the Premier League trophy as players of Arsenal celebrate, as they are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2025/26 Season, after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League) — Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League

After watching their team win their first Premier League title for 22 years, Arsenal fans flocked to the Emirates Stadium for an unofficial parade on the night the success was confirmed.

But the official parade had to wait. The team still had one more game to play, and then they had to prepare for the Champions League final.

To further complicate things, there was only one free day following the Budapest final before the players were required to leave for international duty and the World Cup. So the parade had to take place less than 24 hours after the game in Hungary.

arsenal fc training session and press conference uefa champions league final 2026 — Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

With Arsenal going on to lose the final on penalties, Kai Havertz has admitted he thought the Premier League title parade might be cancelled. But in the end, it went ahead, and he now ranks it among his best experiences as a player.

“To be honest, it was tough,” Havertz said. “After the match, I initially thought we would call the whole thing off. By the next morning, things looked different.

“We had a huge season behind us. The club had gone 22 years without a league title so that had to be celebrated properly with the fans.

“I have to say I’ve never experienced anything like it. So many people on the streets, so many supporting us. It ranks among my top three experiences as a professional.”

A general view as the Open Top Bus passes the entrance to Highbury Station as fans celebrate during the Arsenal Trophy Parade on May 31, 2026 in Islington, England. Arsenal clinched their first Premier League title in 22 years earlier this month — Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Havertz obviously got the goal that briefly let Arsenal fans dream that they might add the Champions League trophy to their Premier League success, but it wasn’t to be.

Yet the trajectory of Mikel Arteta’s team in Europe has been clear, reaching the quarters, semis, and final in three consecutive seasons. Surely that elusive Champions League title isn’t far away now.

Declan Rice sings to the crowd as the Arsenal team celebrate on the bus as it passes through the streets of London with the Premier League Trophy during the Arsenal Trophy Parade on May 31, 2026 in Islington, England — Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

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