Arsenal signing Italian wonderkid Riccardo Calafiori has kind of gone under the radar. The Italian Euro 2024 star caught the eye with his performances for Bologna in the Serie A last season and followed up in the same vein in a disappointing campaign with Italy in the recently concluded European Championship.
The 22-year-old is a very unique left-footed centre-back. Although he has the patented Italian defensive acumen in his game, Calafiori thrives in carrying the ball out of defence and almost ending up in inverted, attacking positions. Understandably, he is equally comfortable playing at left-back either.
Italian stallion Riccardo Calafiori impresses at Arsenal
Despite having William Saliba, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber for central defence with Ben White and Jakub Kiwior also capable of playing in that position, it remains to be seen what position Arteta envisions for Calafiori. The Spanish tactician might choose to use him as a left-back in rotation with Oleksandr Zinchenko or even try him out in defensive midfield.
It looks like Calafiori has caught the eye in his first week of training at Sobha Realty Training Centre. He has set new records for aerobic lung capacity and a 40-metre sprint. He also tied with Gabriel and Saliba for Chest Press and Leg Press at the maximum setting. Looks like the new boy is catching the eye!
🚨 Riccardo Calafiori has set NEW Records at Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre.
✅ Aerobic lung capacity
✅ 40 metre sprintHe has also tied Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba’s leg press and chess press at the maximum setting. 🤝
[via @Arsenal23Wenger]. pic.twitter.com/X3GHXOyVBl
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) August 2, 2024
Making all the right noises
For quite some time now, Calafiori has made all the right noises both on and off the pitch and it looks like he isn’t about to stop now. The Italian youngster will know that he needs to impress in training to get a chance in the Arsenal first-team where the competition for places is immense.
Arteta already had one of the best defences in Europe last season and he has added yet another promising name to the mix. Irrespective of which position he plays in, Calafiori can do a good job. However, adapting to the Premier League could take some time for the Serie A star.
Arsenal will surely have plans to ease the Italian into action. One challenge that Arteta is likely to face this season is to keep all his defenders happy. A happy dressing room is usually a winning dressing room and this will be crucial to the Gunners’ third successive title challenge.
For now, fans will be happy with what they are hearing about Calafiori. Let’s hope he can continue his good performances on the pitch and endear himself to the Emirates faithful in no time.
