Kai Havertz says he feels “strong and ready to go” after scoring in Arsenal’s pre-season win over Girona, giving Mikel Arteta an early fitness boost.
Kai Havertz has delivered an encouraging fitness update ahead of the new Premier League season, insisting he feels “strong and ready to go” after helping Arsenal to a convincing 4-1 pre-season victory over Girona.
The Germany international opened the scoring in Spain as Mikel Arteta’s side continued their preparations for the new campaign. Christos Tzolis, highly-rated youngster Max Dowman and Gabriel Jesus also got on the scoresheet in a performance that highlighted Arsenal’s growing sharpness after their training camp.
Havertz believes the result was about much more than the scoreline, pointing to the understanding developing within the squad. He praised the team’s attacking connections and described Girona as a valuable test as Arsenal continue to build rhythm before the Premier League returns.
The 27-year-old also stressed the importance of pre-season fixtures in helping players regain match fitness after the summer break. According to Havertz, competitive minutes are the quickest way to rediscover sharpness, particularly for players returning after several weeks away from football.
Perhaps the biggest positive for Arsenal supporters was Havertz’s confidence in his own physical condition. The forward revealed he feels he has returned from the off-season without losing much fitness and is already in a position to contribute consistently as the campaign approaches.
With Arsenal aiming to defend their Premier League title, Arteta will be encouraged by Havertz’s early form and fitness. The former Chelsea forward played a key role last season, and his ability to lead the attack while linking play has become increasingly important to the Gunners’ system.
As Arsenal continue their pre-season schedule, Havertz’s encouraging performance and positive fitness update provide another reason for optimism. With several attacking players already finding form, the champions appear to be building momentum at the perfect time ahead of the opening weekend of the new season.
