Chelsea loss is Arsenal's gain as Arteta gets new weapon in title fight
The moment the ball found the net, Riccardo Calafiori took off, unstoppable in his excitement.
However, Calafiori wasn't just running around randomly. He was heading straight for the touchline to reach Mikel Arteta.
Upon arriving, the 22-year-old leaped onto Arteta, and the feelings overflowed as his teammates raced over to join in the festivities.
Title: Riccardo Calafiori Turns Down Interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid Before Signing with Arsenal In a recent turn of events, Riccardo Calafiori has chosen to ignore approaches from Chelsea and Real Madrid prior to making his move to Arsenal. The young talent had several top clubs eyeing him but ultimately decided on a future with the Gunners.
Arteta played a significant role in Calafiori's decision to join Arsenal during the summer, which is why it was unsurprising that the defender wanted to commemorate this occasion with his new coach.
After discussing things with Arteta during the summer, Calafiori realized he was certain he only wanted to play for him.
Chelsea showed a strong interest in him, and towards the end, it seemed like Real Madrid was also preparing to make a move. However, Calafiori was firm in his decision. He was eager to join Arteta's team and was willing to be patient while the transfer discussions continued throughout the summer.
It definitely seems like the wait was worthwhile, and Calafiori's first full match was quite encouraging. Stepping into a high-energy game at the Etihad Stadium, he managed to stand out and demonstrated why Arsenal were willing to invest £42 million in him from Bologna.
At the start of the game, there were a few tense situations, especially when Savinho outmaneuvered him and set up Erling Haaland for the first goal for City. Calafiori was a bit too aggressive in trying to defend against the City winger—likely eager to prove himself—and in an instant, he lost his positioning, leaving Arsenal trailing.
At that moment, there was worry that he might struggle while City was in control and Arsenal was faltering. However, Calafiori bounced back impressively, and his fantastic goal just over ten minutes later completely compensated for his rough beginning.
Arsenal took a fast free-kick on the left side aimed at Gabriel Martinelli. As the winger made a move, Calafiori appeared just inside the box. Without hesitating, he neatly curled the ball around Ederson into the far corner of the net.
One of the aspects Arsenal appreciated about Calafiori was his character. A significant knee injury could have set him back early in his career, but he persevered and made a strong comeback.
Arteta appreciates players with grit, and Calafiori is no exception. Despite a rough beginning, Calafiori stepped up and made his presence felt, scoring a goal that changed the course of the match in Arsenal's favor.
"He was fantastic," Arteta remarked. "To perform in his first Premier League match under these circumstances is commendable. He possesses a tremendous amount of character and enthusiasm. The level of skill he demonstrated today truly impressed me."
Calafiori truly stood out during the match against City, showcasing his attacking prowess much like he did for Italy in Euro 2024. Among all Arsenal players who began the game, he had the best passing accuracy, completing 17 out of 18 passes successfully.
He also put in a solid defensive effort, particularly in the second half when Arsenal was down to 10 players and effectively adopted a 5-4-0 formation. Calafiori excelled in tackles, outdoing all other Arsenal players, while only Declan Rice and Gabriel managed to exceed his three blocks.
Arsenal boasted the top defense in the Premier League last season, and with Calafiori's addition, they've become even more formidable.
Last season, Arsenal boasted the top defense in the Premier League, and the addition of Calafiori has made it even more formidable. The ability of Arteta to rest Ben White, switching Jurrien Timber to right-back while Calafiori took the left side, highlights the impressive defensive depth Arsenal possesses.
Calafiori adds an extra dimension to the team. Unlike Timber and White, he frequently opts for fast, short passes with his teammates, helping to advance Arsenal's play. His height and long strides make him easily noticeable among others, and being left-footed enhances the team's overall balance.
The left-back position was a challenge for Arteta throughout the last season. However, with the impressive performances of Calafiori and Timber at the beginning of this season, it may soon turn into a pleasant dilemma to manage.
