**Kai Havertz wants to relive the most defining moment of his career.**
Five years on from scoring the goal that delivered Chelsea the Champions League title in Porto, the Arsenal forward is now preparing for another shot at conquering Europe, this time in red and white.
Havertz, who was just 22 when he rounded Ederson to score the winning goal against Manchester City in the 2021 final, admits the emotions ahead of Saturday’s showdown have reignited those memories.
Now 26, the German international is on the brink of winning a second Champions League title while also helping the _Gunners_ chase a historic double.
_“For me, there are obviously positive emotions,”_ he said at the dedicated media day ahead of Saturday's final.
_“I cannot wait to play that game and bring the trophy home to North London._
_“\[Scoring the winning goal\] is something I will never forget. As you said, I think we were the underdogs on that day, for sure._
_“We hadn’t had the best season - but obviously now it is completely different,”_ he reflected.
_“For me, personally, as a kid I could have never dreamt that I would score a goal in the final and win that game._
_“It is a moment I will never forget. I will always be proud of it. I just try to take that feeling to next Saturday and, hopefully, I will get that feeling again.”_
The Arsenal forward has had a challenging campaign, suffering a knee injury after the opening game of the season, sidelining him until late December.
The summer arrival of Viktor Gyokeres fortunately softened the blow, sparing Mikel Arteta from once again relying on Mikel Merino as a makeshift centre-forward.
Reflecting on the injury, Havertz admitted the setbacks left him struggling mentally during early stages of the recovery phase.
_“I just thought about it the other day because obviously I was in a bad place when I was injured. It’s not nice to be injured, especially because it came after a big injury,”_ he said.
_“But all the players and staff, they helped me believe in myself and to get back to my best. Everyone told me from January how there is so much to play. That is where my momentum also shifted and I am just happy that I am here again now._
_“I try to help the team every day. I tried that also when I was injured, just to help them off the pitch. That is always important. Injuries are always bad - and it was bad for me. But I am just happy that I am back now. I am feeling amazing and I hope that I can help the team also.”_
The 26-year-old also paid tribute to Arteta, who has consistently supported him through the wave of criticism since bringing him across London.
_“He was the one who brought me to the club and he taught me so much stuff on the pitch - and off the pitch as well._
_“I am very thankful for that time, how he helped me a lot when I had difficult moments. That is also very important._
_“I am just very thankful to have him now for three years. I think it is nice that we also got him a little gift \[the Premier League title\] back now! He brought the club back to where it belongs,”_ he said.
Arsenal have gone unbeaten in Europe this season, scoring 29 goals and conceding just six across a run that has seen the _Gunners_ record statement victories over Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.
However, the final hurdle is the same side that ended their European journey in the semi-final last year.
PSG have one of the most dangerous forward lines in world football, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
_“Along with the Premier League, it is probably the hardest competition to win,”_ Havertz said.
_“There is just so much history with it. So many big players played in it. And to be there, to compete to win the trophy, is amazing._
_“I remember as a child I watched all the games - and just to watch that final is something very special._
_“So to actually play in it is unreal and I think we are all very happy. You need to get there, and then you still have to make that step and win it._
_“It is going to be hard, but I think we are going to be well prepared.”_