Since the 22-year-old is expected to “make them better” and fit into Arsenal’s new, more “evolved” style of play, manager Mikel Arteta has been working toward the signing of defender Riccardo Calafiori for a straight year.
Because of his versatility—he can play both left and center back—the Gunners were willing to pay more than £42 million to get the Bologna native and bring him to the Premier League.
“Ahead of Arsenal’s preseason match against Liverpool in Philadelphia, we identified him as a talent that can give us skills and qualities that are going to make us better,” added Arteta. We have acquired a player who has enormous development potential.
“He is a player who will fit well for what we want because he can play both positions and the way we want to play and evolve in our game more.”
Since William Saliba played every minute of the previous season’s Premier League action, Arteta was bound to prioritize strengthening their defense this summer.
Both Arteta and Calafiori were eager to close the sale, even though it took longer than any of them had intended.
“I didn’t know if we could pull it off or not when I spoke with him one or two times,” Arteta recalled.
“Let me know when you are ready, my bags are ready, and I just want to come to Arsenal,” he was adamant. That’s what he said.
When you combine that emotion with a readiness and a resolve to improve us. We ought to be rather pleased about that.
Calafiori had only one club in mind when he decided to go away from Bologna.
“I was persuaded to come here quite strongly. It’s the ideal project I could have, in my opinion, to get better as a player,” he remarked.
“There used to be other clubs, but I’m over it. My goal in coming here is to take home awards. The crew is young and has the potential to win awards, which makes this the greatest project. My goal is to succeed.
Calafiori might play his first game for the Gunners against Liverpool on Wednesday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
