Kai Havertz Reveals Why He Cannot Play Football in Short Sleeves

(Kai Havertz. Photo by Punch News)

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has revealed that wearing long sleeves on the pitch is a superstition he has built up over the years, and he now feels uncomfortable in short sleeves.

He said this on Friday in an Ask Me Anything session on Arsenal's official website.

The Germany international explained why he wears long sleeves even in extreme heat.

He said it is what he feels most comfortable with and he does not know why, but he cannot look down and see his arm without a sleeve.

He said people laughed at him at the World Cup and at the training camp in Singapore, where it was 45°C and he still wore long sleeves in training and in the game.

But he said that is how he likes it and his head always tells him to wear them.

Fans have noticed that he has worn long sleeves when scoring for Arsenal.

He also kept the habit during Germany's World Cup campaign, even with temperatures above 40°C.

Havertz has started the new season well, scoring in three of Arsenal's first four competitive games.

He scored against Manchester City in the Community Shield, then against Coventry City and Chelsea.

That puts him level with captain Martin Odegaard as the club's top scorer so far this season.

He also scored Arsenal's opening goal in last season's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, though the club lost the game.

He called it his favourite goal in an Arsenal shirt and said the feeling after scoring and celebrating, with goosebumps, was the best he has ever felt on a football pitch.