Arsenal’s most expensive signing of the summer, Riccardo Calafiori, has quickly made a name for himself since joining the club from Bologna.
The 22-year-old left-back, who can also play as a central defender, has been a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s side, making 26 appearances across all competitions this season.
Despite facing a few injury setbacks in his debut season, Calafiori has contributed 3 goals and 2 assists, proving his worth.
His most notable performances include a stunning goal in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City in September, followed by scoring the only goal in a crucial 1-0 win over Wolves in January.
Arsenal’s tactical flexibility has allowed Calafiori to occasionally drift infield from left-back to overload the midfield, adding an extra dimension to the team’s attacking play.
While his future ambitions include playing in central midfield, his versatility and dynamic performances have been a significant asset for Arteta’s plans.
The young Italian was highly sought after last summer, with both Juventus and Chelsea expressing interest in his services.
However, it was Arteta’s personal approach that ultimately swayed Calafiori to move to the Emirates.
“The first thing that comes to mind is the organisation,” he told Italian outlet Rivista Undici e Cronache.
“How much they care about each player from every point of view, both on the pitch and especially off the pitch.
“As for Arteta, I was immediately struck by how much he cared about getting to know me. One day on the phone he sent me some photos of my family and asked me to say what each member of the family meant to me.
“Nothing like this had ever happened to me before. I’m not saying that he convinced me with this alone, but it certainly represented an important moment.”
