Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is effusive in his praise for the qualities of German international Kai Havertz.
«He has this gift of scoring important goals,» Henry told Sport Bild when discussing Havertz. Henry was referring to what is arguably the most significant goal in the DFB star’s career thus far. In the 2021 Champions League final, while playing for Chelsea, Havertz scored the decisive 1-0 goal against Manchester City. Roughly six months later, Havertz also helped Chelsea secure the Club World Cup, scoring the 2-1 winning goal from the penalty spot against Palmeiras just before the end of extra time.
Havertz has also scored crucial goals for Arsenal, who signed him in 2023 for €75 million from their London rivals. Notable examples include the late 1-0 winner in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP in early April, which ultimately secured their progression (the second leg ended 0-0). More recently, on the penultimate Premier League matchday, Havertz scored the winning goal in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley. With Manchester City faltering the following day, this goal ultimately clinched Arsenal’s first English league title in 22 years.
For the German national team, for whom he is expected to be a starter under coach Julian Nagelsmann at the upcoming European Championship, Havertz netted a vital goal during Euro 2024. He scored a penalty to break the deadlock in the round of 16 against Denmark, contributing to a 2-0 victory.
Thierry Henry Praises Kai Havertz: «Understands the Game Very Well»
«Coach Mikel Arteta himself said it: they missed Kai because he helps with transitions and is strong in pressing,» Henry explained, detailing the qualities Havertz’s absence was keenly felt by the London club during his lengthy injury spell. The 26-year-old was sidelined for a significant period between February 2025 and January 2026 due to injury. After a brief recurrence of issues, Havertz has been gradually returning to top form since early March.
«He constantly applies pressure, and his high football IQ means he understands the game very well. He uses his brain. This allows him to be deployed in various positions,» Henry emphasized the German’s significant value to Arsenal’s play. «Hopefully, Havertz can now stay injury-free for a sustained period.»
Henry’s hopes are also resting on Havertz for the upcoming Champions League final against PSG – a match that will kick off earlier than usual this year. The former world-class striker, who scored 228 goals in 377 appearances for Arsenal between 1999 and 2007 and a brief return in 2012, admitted that covering the game as a TV pundit for US broadcaster CBS will be «terrible for me because I’m a fan and we’ve never won the title.»
Thierry Henry Almost Won the Champions League with Arsenal
«I hope, of course, that they win. The team has the chance to go down in history as the unforgettable ones because we at Arsenal have never won this title,» Henry looked ahead. The 48-year-old Frenchman was part of the squad when the Gunners came agonizingly close to lifting the coveted trophy for the first time.
Thanks in part to Henry’s goals, Arsenal reached the Champions League final in the 2005/06 season, facing FC Barcelona in Paris. Despite playing with ten men from the 18th minute after former German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann received a red card, the English side took the lead after 37 minutes. Defender Sol Campbell scored with a header from a free-kick taken by Henry.
However, the dream of winning the Champions League did not come true for Henry and his teammates, as Barcelona turned the game around in the final fifteen minutes with goals from Samuel Eto’o and Juliano Belletti, securing a 2-1 victory.
Kai Havertz: His Statistics This Season
| Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | 6 | 5 |