India, June 24 -- Kai Havertz has opened up on the strange emotional contrast of Arsenal's season, Germany's renewed World Cup belief and the criticism that continues to follow him despite his growing importance for club and country.

Speaking to The Guardian in an interview arranged in collaboration with Die Zeit, Havertz recalled the difficult hours after Arsenal's Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. Arsenal were due to celebrate their Premier League title with a bus parade around north London the following day, but the German forward admitted the timing initially felt impossible.

"To be honest, it was tough," Havertz said. "After the match, I initially thought we would call the whole thing off. By the nex...