- Arsenal has snapped up Italian centre-back to bolster defence
- Shocking details surrounding the transfer deal emerged
- His signing means tight competition among the defenders at Arsenal
Premier League side Arsenal FC were not the only club in the race for the versatile defender, other European giants like Juventus, Real Madrid and the premier league side, Chelsea were also in contact with the player’s representative. The 22-year-old was, however, more convinced with Mikel Arteta’s project.
Arsenal completes major summer signings
Arsenal fans have been well over the moon following the announcement of their latest signing.
They are now more confident than before that the club is headed in the right direction after the transfer completion of Spanish goalkeeper, David Raya and former Bologna defender, Riccardo Calafiori.
David Raya won the Premier League’s Golden Glove Award in the 2023/2024 season with Brentford and can be said to be a proven talent capable of moving Arsenal’s defence to a new level.
“We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal. He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.
Arsenal ended last season with the best defensive record in the division, with only 29 goals conceded, five less than any other team. It is their best record for 20 years.
Details surrounding Riccardo Calafiori’s deal
While specific financial terms remain undisclosed, Riccardo has penned down a long-term contract for five years till 2029 with the North London side. Mikel Arteta confirmed that Riccardo told him he was ready to come to Arsenal despite bids from other clubs.
Calafiori said: "I spoke for almost two months with the coach and with Edu. They tried to convince me, but I was already really convinced to come here. For me, it is the best project I can have as a player.
His desire to join Arsenal thrilled sporting director Edu and more especially, Arsenal’s coach, Arteta.
"I'm very happy. It took a while, he's a player we monitored for over a year. We were really short in the back line last year in terms of numbers and we demanded so much from them. Arteta mentioned ahead of the pre-season friendly against Liverpool.
"When I spoke to him one or two times and I knew the other things [teams being interested], I wasn't really sure if we could do it or not.
"But he was adamant: 'let me know when you're ready, my bags are ready and I just want to come to Arsenal'. “Those were his words and when you have that feeling, someone that has that willingness to join us and make us better and that determination, it's really powerful and as a club, we should be really proud of that,” Arteta stated.
High-stakes battle for Arsenal's backline positions
Calafiori’s signing adds another layer of competition for Arsenal’s backline positions. With several established defenders already at the club, such as William Saliba, Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, the arrival of Calafiori intensifies the battle for starting spots.
Arteta will have to navigate this competition carefully, balancing player rotations and ensuring that each defender is given a fair opportunity to prove themselves.
This could lead to improved performances and depth in the defensive area, benefiting Arsenal throughout the season and could adversely upset players who do not get enough playtime in the dressing room if not well managed.
What do the stats say?
Analyzing Riccardo Calafiori’s statistics reveals why Arsenal so intently pursued him. Over the past season, Calafiori demonstrated impressive defensive capabilities, including his ability to win duels, intercept passes, and contribute to both defensive and offensive plays. He can also play confidently in the left-back position which adds to his versatility. Last season, he had to his name 50 major interceptions (ranked 6th position in Seria A), won possession 107 times in defensive third and garnered an impressive 5 assists through the season. He is known for contributing to setting up goals from the middle third of the pitch which is a great testament to the record of any defender.
Transfer Saga: “Fantasy,” Victor Oshimen’s agent squashes fake news
Previously, TheRadar reported that Napoli striker, Victor Oshimen had been in the mix of transfer speculations since the 2023/2024 transfer window. Oshimen’s agent Calenda has reacted to transfer rumours regarding his client. He claims that no loan bid has come in for Victor so far and that people should respect the player and stop fake news. However, it remains to be seen where the Nigerian striker's future lies.
