Kai Havertz has spoken candidly about the defining moment of his Arsenal career: the Champions League final against Manchester City in 2023, a victory that cemented his status as one of the Premier League’s most complete forwards. For the German striker, it wasn’t just about the trophy—it was about the way his playmaking and selflessness unlocked Arsenal’s attack. ‘Definitely the one against Burnley when we won the Premier League, the last goal of the season before we won it,’ Havertz once said of his most cherished goal, but the Champions League triumph was the pinnacle of his first season in North London. There, he wasn’t just a goalscorer; he was the linchpin of a system that thrived on fluidity, pressing, and positional intelligence—qualities that made him the perfect foil to the wingers Arteta favored.
The 2023/24 campaign was a masterclass in how a striker could elevate an entire team. Havertz’s ability to drop deep, dictate tempo, and drag defenders out of position was critical to Arsenal’s success, particularly in the Champions League. His partnership with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard—all three fit for the first time in years—was electric, with the trio combining for 10 goals in their first seven games of the season. That synergy wasn’t accidental; it was the result of Arteta’s tactical evolution, where Havertz’s versatility allowed the manager to deploy wingers like Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhães with greater freedom. The German’s willingness to work tirelessly in transition, whether as a false nine or a traditional striker, made him the ideal candidate to replace the departed Gyökeres—a player whose direct, goal-oriented style was less adaptable to Arsenal’s pressing-heavy approach.
Yet the question now is whether Havertz can replicate that same dominance in a second season, one where the stakes are even higher. Arsenal’s pursuit of a second consecutive Premier League title is already under pressure, with injuries to Saka and Ødegaard complicating the midfield puzzle. Havertz’s role in the Champions League final—where he scored the decisive penalty—was a reminder of his importance, but the path to another final will demand more than just individual brilliance. The striker’s ability to influence games beyond the final whistle, whether through set-piece deliveries or defensive contributions, will be scrutinized as Arsenal navigate a run-in where complacency is the enemy. ‘This is a big lesson for all of us to understand what it takes to win at this level,’ Arteta said after the 2023 final, and Havertz’s next chapter will test whether he can carry that mentality into a new era.
The tactical landscape has shifted since his arrival. With Gyökeres gone, Havertz was brought in to fill a void—not just as a scorer, but as a playmaker who could dictate the tempo of Arsenal’s attacks. His selflessness in the Champions League final, where he set up Ødegaard for the winning penalty, was a microcosm of his value. Yet his strengths lie in his all-round game: his pressing, his ability to hold up play, and his knack for finding space in crowded areas. The challenge for Arsenal now is ensuring that his role isn’t just about goals, but about sustaining the same level of creativity that defined his first season. If he can do that, he may not just secure another Champions League medal, but help Arsenal join the elite club of managers who’ve won the Premier League more than once—a feat only Ferguson, Guardiola, Mourinho, and Wenger have achieved.
For Havertz, the pressure is personal. He came to Arsenal as a proven winner, but his legacy here will be written in how he adapts to the demands of a second season, a new era, and a club chasing immortality. The Champions League final was a statement of intent; the next chapter will determine whether it’s the beginning of a new legacy or just a flash in the pan. One thing is certain: if Arsenal are to retain their title and add another European trophy, Havertz’s role will be central to both.
