Recently, Italy defeated France with a score line of 3-1, where Arsenal defender, Riccardo Calafiori suffered an injury in his calf muscle. After hearing this news, Arsenal fans were anxious to see their new star signing limp off the field.
Before September 15, the Gunners have five upcoming fixtures, including the Champions League as well as Carabao Cup matches. On top of that, Mikel Arteta has no proper alternative for the Italian defender. Although Kieran Tierney has returned to Arsenal, but he cannot provide defensive solidity.
What happened to the Arsenal defender?
In the friendly game against France, Luciano Spalletti played Riccardo Calafiori and Alessandro Bastoni in the Italian backline. There was a moment in the match where French winger Ousmane Dembele was making a run down the right flank.
Bastoni stopped him with a perfect tackle. As a result, Dembele fell to the ground, and his feet collided with Calafiori’s calf muscle. We all know how fast Dembele runs with the ball. So, the impact on Calafiori’s leg must have been a heavy one.
The Italian defender got injured after this incident. In the post-match interview, Italian manager, Luciano Spalletti, said that the experts will be assessing Calafiori’s condition. According to Metro, the Italian camp is expecting that Calafiori might be out just for a few days. This update has relieved many Arsenal fans.
Why did Arsenal buy Calafiori?
Riccardo Calafiori started his career at AS Roma and flourished at Bologna FC. According to multiple football experts, he is a true modern-day Italian gem, 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, Paolo Maldini and Nesta. Although he is at the beginning of his career, these types of comparisons always motivate a player.
When he was a younger, he broke his ankle in a serious injury. He was sidelined for a couple of games. At AS Roma, he used to play as a left-back. After a few years, Bologna bought him, and there he became a defensive leader.
Bologna’s former manager, Thiago Motta, had done a brilliant job at the Italian side. In the 2023-2024 season, he helped them achieve a European spot in the league table. On top of that, Bologna produced some seriously talent, which included Riccardo Calafiori, Joshua Zirkzee, and many more. These players have attracted clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United.
Before the Euro 2024, the Gunners were linked with young Portuguese defender, Antonio Silva. He had a fantastic season for Benfica. The Portuguese was also selected in the national team for the Euro 2024, but things didn’t go as expected. Silva struggled to produce his best in the Euros, and Portugal got knocked out of the European tournament in the quarter-finals only.
This incident changed Arsenal’s decision, and they focused on another rising talent. In the Euro 2024, Italy produced a poor performance, but the young defender was a revelation for Italy. During harsh conditions, Calafiori showed character and delivered masterclass performances.
Expectations for the future
In recent years, the Gunners have emerged as the new contenders for the Premier League title. They are playing beautiful and effective football.
In this season, there might another close title race between Manchester City and Arsenal. Both the teams are trying to win every single Premier League match. That is why, quality players like Calafiori are very much important for the Gunners.
There is another team that can win the Premier League, and it is Liverpool. The Reds have looked like they mean business, by winning all three of their opening matches, scoring 7 and conceding none.
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