Recently Arsenal have won the race of Italian defender and Liverpool target Riccardo Calafiori. They paid £42m to Bologna for the defender.
Tussle for Calafiori between Arsenal and Liverpool
After the Euro 2024, Arsenal were monitoring the situation of the young Italian defender. On the other hand, Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards was also trying to sign the player.
But Mikel Arteta convinced him to join the Gunners. According to this is Anfield, Riccardo Calafiori can also play his debut Arsenal game against Liverpool in a pre season campaign.
Calafiori and Arsenal squad
Riccardo Calafiori is a perfect fit for Arsenal squad because managers like Mikel Arteta loves to experiment with his players and tactics.
According to new tactics, the Spaniard discovers new positions and roles. For these types of flexible tactics, Arsenal need versatile players like Calafiori. He can play as a center back, as a left back. On top of that he will also be able to play as a central defensive midfielder. On modern day football anything ca happen.
After playing as a center back for West Ham United, Declan Rice became a midfielder for the Hammers. Same thing can also happen with the new Arsenal signing because he is calm and composed with the ball. On top of that, the Italian can break opponent’s attack with his defensive abilities. All these attributes make him a perfect candidate to take up multiple roles at the Emirates Stadium.
Multiple sources are suggesting that Mikel Arteta wants to replace Arsenal left back Takehiro Tomiyasu with the new signing. Calafiori’s attacking abilities are better than Tomiyasu and Mikel wants a defender who will help the team in attacking transition.
These strategies help Arsenal against big teams like Liverpool and Manchester City.
Who is Riccardo Calafiori?
Arsenal have signed a new defender from Italian club Bologna and his name is Riccardo Calafiori. According to multiple football experts, Riccardo Calafiori is a modern day center back who loves both defending as well as attacking.
Some people also say that the new Arsenal signing is a mixture of two legendary Italian defenders that are Paolo Maldini and Nesta. Although he is at the beginning of his career, but these types of comparison always motivates a player.
Calafiori started his career at AS Roma. When he was a young player, he broke his ankle in a serious injury. He was sidelined for a couple of games. In AS Roma he used to play as a left back. After few years, Bologna bought him and there he became a defensive leader.
Bologna manager Thiago Motta has done a brilliant job at the Italian side. In 2023-2024 season, he has helped them to achieve European spot in Serie A. On top of that, Bologna produced some seriously talented young players which includes Riccardo Calafiori, Joshua Zirkzee, and many more. These players have attracted clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool.
Calafiori’s recent performance
We have seen how Italian national team have performed in Euro 2024. Everything went bad for the Italians. The new Arsenal signing was the only positive aspect of the team because he was playing from his heart and the fans have understood it perfectly.
For example, when Italy was going to loose a match in Euro 2024, Calafiori assisted Zacagni and the latter scored a beautiful equalizer. It was not an ordinary assist for a center back. He carried the ball over the half line and dodged multiple players. When Calafiori was progressing towards the goal, he attracted opponent players towards him and this created a free space behind the opponent backline.
Zacagni made a run in this open space and Calafiori gave a beautiful through ball and the rest is history. This is the quality that the new Arsenal signing possess. Besides defending, he can also be a playmaker. From the above example, Calafiori’s playmaking ability gets depicted.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
