Riccardo Calafiori Reveals 'Worst Loser' in Arsenal Squad

Riccardo Calafiori has picked out Viktor Gyökeres as the worst loser in the Arsenal squad, speaking to the Arsenal website.

When asked which of his teammates takes defeat the hardest, the defender admitted it was a difficult question, and was honest enough to include himself in the conversation.

He said, ‘That’s not an easy one! I think I’m on that list, but for sure there are a couple worse than me as well. I think maybe Viktor Gyökeres as well. I’ll say him.’

It is perhaps no surprise that Gyökeres’ competitive nature stands out. The Swedish striker arrived from Sporting CP in the summer of 2025 with a reputation as one of the most prolific forwards in Europe, and scored 21 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions during his first season in north London, as Arsenal won the Premier League.

The Swede went almost three months without a league goal from open play between November and January, but braces against Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham during the title race showed signs of encouragement.

He has continued to deliver for his country, too. Gyökeres became the first player to score in seven consecutive UEFA Nations League matches during the recent international break, finding the net in all four of Sweden’s games.

However, his club form this season has been frustrating. Gyökeres has yet to start a Premier League match this campaign, making three appearances from the bench totalling less than an hour, with Kai Havertz preferred as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice striker.

He has started both of Arsenal’s Champions League matches this season, but is yet to register a shot in either, and on both occasions Arteta’s side have scored within three minutes of Havertz coming on in his place.

For a player who hates losing as much as Calafiori suggests, the lack of minutes is likely to be testing his patience.

During the run-in last season, Arteta revealed, 'Viktor has been working extremely hard; the demands he puts on himself are extremely high. He always wants to learn, he’s always asking questions, he always wants to do extra things.'

Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, though Gyökeres is expected to find himself on the bench again, something he has been doing since Havertz' return from injury in May.

Arteta's side then travel to Bayern Munich, who are without Michael Olise, and it remains to be seen who the Spaniard will opt to lead the line.