Kai Havertz, Arsenal's German forward, has spoken candidly about the struggles he endured during his early months in the Premier League following his 2020 move to Chelsea, saying those difficult experiences ultimately forged the player and person he is today. The 27-year-old made the remarks in an interaction with JioHotstar ahead of a high-profile London derby.

A Tougher Start Than Expected

Havertz arrived at Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 as a highly regarded young attacking midfielder, but the transition proved far more demanding than he had anticipated. The move coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, when matches were played in empty stadiums — yet even without the roar of crowds, the pace and physicality of English football hit hard.

'When I first arrived in the Premier League after signing for Chelsea in 2020, I didn't overthink it. I was young and wanted a new experience. I wanted to leave Germany, test myself, and grow as a player,' Havertz said. 'I thought it might be easier than it turned out to be, but then in my first few games, I realised how intense the league really is. It was during Covid, so without fans, the atmosphere was different, but the pace and physicality were still a shock,' he added.

The doubt, he admitted, crept in quickly. 'For the first few weeks, I questioned if I had made the right choice. I struggled to make an impact and doubted myself. The first four or five months were really tough,' he said.

No Regrets After Six Years in England

Despite the rocky beginning, Havertz is emphatic that he would not alter a single chapter of his English journey. 'Looking back now, after spending six years in England, I would never change anything that I've done. Even though some things didn't go as planned and I wasn't that successful in every moment, for me personally, I would never change anything because it made me the person I am now, the football player who I am now,' he said.

That resilience has found a home in London, a city Havertz now considers his own. 'Every struggle and every setback taught me something valuable. I grew stronger through the tough times, and those experiences shaped my character both on and off the pitch. London is my home now, and I'm very happy here in this lovely city. I feel settled, I feel loved, and I feel like I belong,' he said.

Tactical Evolution at Arsenal

Since crossing north London to join Arsenal, Havertz has undergone a significant positional shift — from an attacking midfielder into a central striker, or number nine. The change, he says, demanded a fundamental rethink of his game.

'I started off more as a midfielder for Arsenal, but over time I moved into a number nine role. That change taught me a lot, especially how to use my body better in the box,' he explained. 'I'm a big guy, and I need to make that count. I had to learn how to hold off defenders, win aerial duels, and be in the right positions to score. It took time, but I feel comfortable in that role now.'

Set Pieces and the Premier League Trophy

Havertz also shed light on Arsenal's meticulous approach to set pieces, crediting them as a decisive factor in the club's Premier League title success last season. 'We treat them like penalties; every time we get one, we feel like we can score. We work on them tirelessly in training, and it shows in matches. We scored so many goals from set pieces last season, and that was a major reason why we lifted the Premier League trophy,' he said.

Why the Premier League Remains the World's Best

Ahead of the upcoming London derby against his former club Chelsea, Havertz reaffirmed his belief that the Premier League stands apart from every other competition. 'A footballer's career is short, so I want to make the most of it. I want to play as many games as possible and keep improving, and that's why I came to the Premier League because it's the best league in the world,' he said.

He also noted that the standard has continued to climb during his six years in England. 'Over the last six years, I've seen the league get stronger each season. Clubs are spending more, signing better players, and the quality keeps rising. But that's exactly what you want as a professional, to compete at the highest level against the best players,' Havertz said. With the London derby on the horizon, the former Chelsea man looks set to prove just how far he has come.