Kai Havertz has been outstanding for Arsenal in recent months, and he will now hope to keep his run of form going heading into Euro 2024.
Havertz will lead the line for Germany as they host the tournament, and he will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders as Borussia Dortmund’s Nicklas Fullkrug will compete with him for a place in the side.
Arsenal fell just short of Manchester City in the Premier League title race, but did record 16 wins in 18 league games in 2024, and Havertz found his feet as a striker to deliver in crucial moments.
It was a tough adjustment for the 25-year-old following his move from Chelsea, but he is now a fan favourite at the Emirates, and this has also given him a boost with regard to his International chances.
Arsenal form has helped Kai Havertz secure Germany Euro spot
Earlier this season, Havertz was trialled as a left-back for Germany during his struggles with Arsenal, and his place in the squad was far from certain.
However, his upturn in form, which began in February, meant that he earned the trust of Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, who will now deploy him as a striker.
German football expert Yvonne Gabriel has now told Arsenal media that a conversation between Nagelsmann and Havertz in March confirmed that if he kept up his form, he would start for his country in the home tournament.
“He had a conversation with the coach Nagelsmann in March and he told him ‘if you perform well at Arsenal you have good chances to perform at the Euros and be in the starting 11’. Havertz mentioned that pushed him at Arsenal and now he’s ready for the tournament and he has big hopes to perform on a really high level,” Gabriel claimed.
Kai Havertz ready to make history with Germany
Leading the line in a home tournament is no small feat, but it comes with big pressure, particularly for a team like Germany, who will be hoping to win the Euros.
Germany have not won the Euros since 1996 despite some near misses, and Havertz has the chance to win the trophy on home soil.
Former Arsenal stars Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil have thrived for Germany at the Euros before, with the pair each featuring in a Team of the Tournament, and Havertz will hope to follow in their footsteps by continuing his sensational form in front of goal.
Arsenal players and transfer targets at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode of Cannon Fire – The Arsenal Insider Podcast, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discuss the European Championships. With 11 Arsenal players set to feature at the tournament, the pair debated which players could be fighting for their futures, and which are destined to succeed on the international stage.