Havertz Opens Up on ‘Most Painful’ Injury Ahead of Leverkusen Return

Kai Havertz has revealed that the knee injury which sidelined him for the first half of the season was the most painful experience of his life, but insists it has given him “new hunger” to win trophies with Arsenal.

The Germany forward missed more than 20 games after undergoing surgery on the injury sustained during Arsenal’s opening day victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. His return has been carefully managed by Mikel Arteta in recent weeks.

Emotional Return Against Former Club

Havertz will face his former club Bayer Leverkusen for the first time since leaving for Chelsea in 2020, in a tie between two sides with growing European rivalry when Arsenal take on the German side in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday.

“For me it was just tough because I never felt that pain before in my life and it just came randomly,” Havertz told The Guardian. “Obviously having two surgeries is not easy, but I think I’m professional enough to know that’s also part of football sometimes.”

The 26-year-old was also absent for a significant portion of last season due to a hamstring problem, making his recent injury struggles particularly frustrating.

Ready for Key Role

With captain Martin Ødegaard unavailable for the first leg, Havertz is expected to start behind Viktor Gyökeres in attack. The former Chelsea man, who scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, believes he is now fully fit and ready to contribute.

“I’m confident, I’m feeling good, I’m feeling better,” he said. “I’m feeling 100% ready to play games, I’m feeling fit and I can’t wait to help the team in the next couple of months.”

Asked whether his time on the sidelines had increased his desire to succeed, Havertz was emphatic: “100%, I think. That feeling that you have after games, being with the boys in the training room, I miss it so much. That’s why also it was mentally so hard for me because they wouldn’t be there and I think it just gave me new hunger.”

Historic Meeting

Arsenal will face Leverkusen for the first time since the 2001-02 Champions League, when the German side eliminated the Gunners in the second group stage before reaching the final themselves.

Arteta’s side are currently competing on four fronts, though the Arsenal manager remains focused on taking each match as it comes rather than discussing potential silverware.

Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals last season for only the third time before losing to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain. The north London side will be looking to use their growing experience in Europe’s premier competition to progress further this time around.