Kai Havertz names Arsenal's worst loser and sends message over Premier League title defence
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has revealed that Viktor Gyokeres is among the club's worst losers in training while insisting the Gunners must prove themselves all over again after winning the Premier League. The Germany international discussed Arsenal's winning mentality, competition within the squad and his personal ambitions in an interview published on the club's officialwebsite.
Havertz helped Arsenal end their long wait for the league title last season, an achievement he considers the greatest success of his career. However, the 27-year-old believes last season's triumph counts for little unless Arsenal maintain their standards throughout the current campaign.
"People are happy that we won the league last year, but we have to prove ourselves again and win again and do it every week," he said. Havertz believes the experience of becoming champions has made Arsenal's players more mature and better equipped to handle the demands of another title challenge.
"We've done it before, we know how it feels, we know what we need to do it again," he explained. Nevertheless, the forward stressed that every team starts the new season on equal terms, regardless of their previous achievements.
The interview also provided an interesting insight into the competitive atmosphere within Arsenal's dressing room. Asked to identify the squad's worst loser, Havertz singled out Gyokeres, suggesting the Swedish striker struggles to accept defeat during training sessions.
If you beat him in training and give him some chat he's angry! The German also revealed which teammates he would select for a training match, emphasising the importance of having a reliable defence.
"I need a good defence, so I think maybe Saliba or Gabi," he said, referring to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Away from Arsenal's domestic ambitions, Havertz identified winning the World Cup as a major achievement he would like to experience.
He pointed towards Arsenal's Spanish internationals, who lifted the trophy with their country earlier this year. The former Chelsea forward also reflected on his early career, explaining that becoming a professional footballer initially mattered more to him than collecting trophies.
His outlook subsequently changed as he gained experience and developed a stronger appreciation for winning major honours. Despite his considerable success, Havertz insisted that maintaining motivation comes naturally because football offers little time to dwell on previous victories.