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Kai Havertz shares what happened when he joined Arsenal that made him feel ‘the worst’

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Kai Havertz has had his ups and downs at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta signed the Germany international from Chelsea for big money in a move that came as a surprise to many fans at the time.

Some of those supporters targeted Havertz, so much so that it made the attacker feel the ‘worst’ at the time.

Is Kai Havertz’s change in build positive or negative for Arsenal’s attack? Let us know your thoughts.

A graphic comparing Kai Havertz in pre-season training of 2025 and in Arsenal training in December 2025.
Credit: Getty Images/Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC

Kai Havertz opens up on feeling the ‘worst’ when he first signed for Arsenal

Kai Havertz had a very difficult few months at the start of his Arsenal career.

The former Bayer Leverkusen man came under immense criticism before he even kicked a ball because some fans didn’t want him at the club.

Certain pundits forced an agenda against Havertz as well, criticising him every time they had an opportunity, and the same supporters jumped on that bandwagon too.

In Martin Odegaard’s documentary on The Arsenal App, the German opened up on how he felt the ‘worst’ at that time, but he accepted that football players need to be able to deal with the criticism that comes their way.

Kai Havertz looking dejected during an Arsenal game
not pictured during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on April 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

In conversation with the Arsenal captain, Havertz said about criticism on social media: “It’s hard.

“Obviously, you don’t try to read it, but you still know what people say about you. I felt probably the worst when I joined Arsenal. I had a very rough time.

“He (Odegaard) helped me a lot, dealing with situations. We all have to help each other.

“Obviously, it’s not nice, but I think it’s normal when you are in that kind of job that people criticise you. It’s a part of life, and we all have to live with it.”

Are Arsenal fans really the worst supporters in the world?

Image of Arsenal fans celebrating, overlaid a question asking if the Gunners have the worst supporters in the world
Credit: Getty Images/Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC

The Arsenal fan base gets a bad name because of certain supporters and it needs to stop

Arsenal supporters have often been described as the worst fans in England, but that is not true at all.

Yes, many Gooners on social media are reactionary and are bold with their opinions when it comes to defending their club.

However, there is only a small yet very loud minority that gives the rest of us a bad name, and those are the same people who hurled abuse at players like Havertz and Noni Madueke when they joined the club.

Unsurprisingly, the former Chelsea players are fan favourites at Arsenal now, which should teach a lesson to those who made unacceptable comments about the signings.

However, based on what we’ve seen over the years, the same people will continue to bring a bad name to the rest of the fan base.

We don’t know how, but that needs to stop!