Kai Havertz: Arsenal and Germany's man for the big moment

At 26 years old, Kai Havertz has more experience than most.

The former Leverkusen man has a history of game-winning goals. His most famous is perhaps his Champions League-winning goal for Chelsea against Manchester City in 2021. It was a goal that denied Pep Guardiola and gave Thomas Tuchel glory. For Havertz, it wasn't the only one though. A year later, he scored an extra-time penalty to win the Club World Cup for Chelsea. This season, Havertz scored the injury-time winner for Arsenal in the League Cup semifinal against his former team.

His injury-time winner against Sporting in the Champions League quarterfinals was decisive for Arsenal and their run to the final. And against Burnley, although fortunate to avoid red for a poor tackle, his header set up Arsenal's Premier League title that was confirmed soon after, following Manchester City's draw. In short, pressure is no problem for the Germany forward.

This is made all the more impressive by how much time he has missed with injury. On the opening day of the season, Havertz picked up a knee injury that saw him out for most of the first half of the campaign. Not long after his return, he picked up a muscle injury. Many players might have struggled to have delivered so quickly with so much on the line, but Havertz is not most players. The German has been back in regular action since March, and swiftly reminded onlookers of why is the man for the big moments.

"That's what kept me alive every single day," Havertz told Viaplay after winning the Premier League. "I have to be honest, some days I was in some dark places for sure, but I woke up every morning and just tried to work hard to be back as soon as possible. Now, to be here and celebrate that victory, it's unbelievable and it shows you that everything is possible and you can work hard and you can always turn it around."

Hope for Germany

Julian Nagelsmann will be watching on with a keen eye, hoping that he will retain his magic touch come the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico this summer. 

Havertz has 21 goals for Germany, but has been less decisive in national colors compared to his clubs. Nevertheless, he will be the man to lead Germany's line at this World Cup and he has shown glimpses of how comfortable he is with that role too.

His goal against Denmark in Euro 2024 set Germany on their way and against Ghana in March this year, Havertz shook off his lack of match practice to start Germany's comeback. His form is trending in the right direction and a second Champions League-winning goal in May would not only be a milestone for Havertz, but would also leave Nagelsmann and Germany fans hopeful that more will be to come this summer.

The man whose career started at Leverkusen before he rose to prominence as a 17-year-old finishing exams and playing in the Bundesliga, Havertz's career was at a crossroads when he joined Arsenal in 2023. Three years later, Havertz is in the right place at the right time. If he can deliver in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday, he will join a rare list of players to have scored in multiple Champions League finals. More than that though, he will have cemented his place as one of the most successful German footballers of all time. To reach such a peak in the weeks before a World Cup will be what Nagelsmann is hoping for. The pressure is on. For Havertz, that just means another day at the office.

Edited by: Chuck Penfold