Kai Havertz makes Arsenal trophy promise with big things planned for brand new season

Kai Havertz spoke after Arsenal's pre-season win over Girona and made a promise that the Gunners would be going for all the trophies.

Kai Havertz says Arsenal ‘have to go further’ next season despite having been crowned Premier League champions. The German international returned to action in the Gunners’ pre-season victory over Girona in which he scored the opening goal.

Having missed the first week of Arsenal’s pre-season training thanks to an extended holiday, Havertz spoke to football.london following the match and said he was feeling fresh and ready for the new campaign.

“I feel good,” Havertz said. “I had three weeks off, and I think you don't lose too much in that time. I feel good, I feel fresh, well-recovered from the holidays, so I'm ready for it.”

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Germany exited the World Cup earlier than hoped, with head coach Julian Nagelsmann immediately relieved of his duties following the embarrassing elimination at the hands of Paraguay.

Havertz was a key figure in the tournament, scoring in the last-32 defeat, but despite the disappointment, returning to a group of champions has re-energised the 27-year-old.

“I feel like after two weeks’ holiday, I was buzzing to come back,” he said. “I feel like we're all fitting very well together. You feel the chemistry in the team. Not only on the pitch, also off the pitch.

“The way we spend the time in the hotel and away from the pitch is amazing. I think we have a good connection altogether and want to start the season very strong again.”

The removal of the overwhelming pressure that was weighing the side down every season the club finished again as runners-up is invaluable for Arsenal. But having ended a 22-year wait to win the league, the question lingers where does the side go now, but for Havertz, the mission is clear. They want more.

“I think we have to go further,” Havertz said with determination. “You see other teams getting better, so we have to step up another level again.

“I think that's what we're all here for, that's what we're trained for. Play those test games and want to start strong and reach our goals that season again.”

Not just the Premier League, but the anguish of losing on penalties in the UEFA Champions League final, in which Havertz scored Arsenal’s only goal.

The versatile forward says that he and his side want to win everything on offer and agrees with his manager that they have to level up again to achieve their goals.

“To be fair, I think we want all the trophies,” he said. “That's what we're here for. I think we missed out on a lot the last couple of seasons. Obviously, we won the Premier League now, but there's a lot more that we can do.

“We have to reach another level to make that happen. We know how long the season is, we know how hard it is to go through the competitions. We want to do it better again this year and make things happen again.”

The team is expected to get stronger with a move for Bruno Guimaraes, which is hoped to reach a positive conclusion. Huge names such as Vinicius Junior are even being chased by Arsenal, however, it was 16-year-old Max Dowman who found Havertz for the goal with the teenager hoped to be set up for an even bigger season this time around.

“I think especially in the second half we saw them playing very good,” Havertz said of the starlets on show. "The young players, especially how they fit in the team and how they're doing during the week is amazing.”

Despite missing half of the previous season, he begins the new campaign alongside fellow forward Viktor Gyokeres. While many see them as alternates, Havertz is adamant he can play with the Swede and, importantly, understands his game.

“No, I think it's quite natural to be fair,” he said. “I think he's easy to play with because I know which runs he wants and where he wants the pass. I've been on that striker position as well a lot of times, so I understand him quite well.

“We have a top connection on and off the pitch, so that helps as well. I think he's one of the best strikers in the world, and to play with him is very easy.”

Click here to read article