Arsenal will hope to finally overhaul Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table this season with Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival a major boost.
The Gunners have come so close to claiming stop spot in the last two seasons.
Mikel Arteta’s men even took it to the final game of last season but just couldn’t pip Manchester City to the Premier League title.
Arsenal are now looking to go one better and have made a major addition to Arteta’s squad.
Riccardo Calafiori has signed for Arsenal having impressed for Bologna last season and with Italy at Euro 2024.
The defender adds even more depth to an already-impressive defensive unit at the Emirates Stadium and excitement is building around the Italian.
Danny Murphy on Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal
Arsenal were chasing Calafiori for weeks before finally sealing the deal.
Calafiori made his first appearance in the 2-0 win over Lyon just a few days ago but is waiting for his real debut in the famous red and white shirt.
Pundit Danny Murphy has now delivered his verdict on Calafiori ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Murphy suggested that Arsenal look ‘really settled’ but have been improved even further by the signing of Calafiori.
Murphy believes that Arsenal really needed to sign Calafiori because of the ‘unusual’ situation in terms of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes avoiding injuries.
Murphy added that Calafiori has been ‘brilliant’ whenever he has watched the Italian and is ‘absolutely certain’ of his top-level ability.
“Arsenal look really settled, they are powerful and they have a brilliant defensive set-up that has been improved further by Calafiori,” said Murphy. “They needed him because Gabriel and Saliba got through last season without being injured, which is very unusual. I am absolutely certain of Calafiori’s quality too, because I have seen him play live twice and he was brilliant each time.”
Calafiori can make a big impact
Calafiori provides valuable depth in two areas.
The former Roma talent – once sold under Jose Mourinho – is likely to play as a left back for Arsenal.
A host of players have played in that role for Arsenal in recent times but Calafiori could be the future there.
Oleksandr Zinchenko looks set to start the season as Arsenal’s left back but Calafiori will be knocking on the door once he really settles in.
Calafiori also provides genuine cover and competition for Gabriel Magalhaes as a left-sided centre back in Arteta’s back four.
That gives Arteta so much more flexibility and Calafiori is just 22, meaning he could become a key part of the Arsenal side for years to come.
The deal isn’t exactly great news for Jakub Kiwior though, who offers that same left-sided versatility in defence.
HITC understands that Kiwior can leave Arsenal this summer with Inter Milan showing an interest.
Calafiori may not start the season in the Arsenal starting XI but he will be primed for a big impact both this season and beyond.
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