Is Riccardo Calafiori a Good Signing for Arsenal?

by
Riccardo Calafiori Arsenal screenshot

At the time of writing, with just a couple of weeks to go until the start of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, we would say Arsenal have had a fairly quiet transfer window. Such is modern football, that is despite spending about £70m on new players. Many fans will expect there to be more to come, especially as the move for David Raya was simply a formality.

However, the biggest transfer thus far, both in terms of excitement and fee, has been the addition of Riccardo Calafiori. Signed for a price of around £42m, the Italian centre back was probably not top of the list as far as too many Arsenal fans were concerned. However, he is a player the club have been interested in for a while, but is he a good signing?

Who Is He?


Calafiori was born in Rome on the 19th of May, 2002 and spent 10 years in the youth system of Roma. He made a few appearances for his hometown club but was sent on loan to Genoa and then on a permanent deal to Basel for around £9m in the summer of 2022. He impressed with the Swiss side and continued his progression through the age-group ranks with Italy, for whom he has now played at virtually every level, including the senior team.

His performances in Switzerland caught the eye of Bologna, who parted with more than £20m to bring him back to Italian football. Under Thiago Motta he helped the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the history of the rebranded competition (they last played at this level in the European Cup in 1964/65).

Since moving to Bologna he has made his first appearance for the full Italian side, making his international debut on the 4th of June 2024. He ended the Serie A campaign in fine style, being named the league’s Player of the Month in May and that gave him great momentum heading into the summer.

Italian head coach, Luciano Spalletti, then named him in Italy’s squad for Euro 2024 and he made his competitive bow against Albania at the tournament. He played all three of Italy’s group games as they qualified for the last 16. However, he was suspended for that knockout match against Switzerland, which Italy lost 2-0.

Nonetheless, his performances at the European Championship were impressive, and Arsenal had some concerns they would make obtaining his signature more difficult. In the end they got their man, and we certainly think that Gunners fans will be happy with what they see.

What Type of Defender Is Calafiori?



If we had to use one word to describe Arsenal’s new player, we would opt for exciting. He brings something to Arsenal that they do not already have and whilst he is a super all-round defender, the stat that really catches the eye about him is an attacking one.

He boasted five assists from centre back for Bologna in 2023/24, a figure that no other central defender could better across Europe’s big five leagues. He is 6ft 2in tall, so not a giant, but he is a real powerhouse in the air, winning more aerial duels than anyone at his club side last term (and also topping the chart for interceptions). He has started to add goals to his game too, and with Arsenal the best set-piece team about, he is another weapon in their armoury.

However, his attacking play is not limited to his skills in the air, and instead Arteta may well most prise his ability to carry the ball out of defence. His brilliant run set up a key goal for Italy at Euro 2024, and he has spoken of John Stones being a role model. He added that the way he steps into midfield is similar to Stones and that it is part of his coach’s plans, rather than something unrehearsed.

As well as all that, the Italian youngster is calm, reads the game well and can be aggressive when needed. He isn’t the fastest player in the world but he is by no means a slouch, and he is a very fine passer of the ball too.

Where Will Calafiori Play?


What has made the Italian a slightly puzzling addition is the fact that he is primarily a centre back. Arsenal have two of the very best in the business in the shape of the imperious William Saliba and Gabriel. Saliba was named in the Team of the Tournament at Euro 2024 and the duo formed an incredible partnership for Mikel Arteta last term.

With Arsenal also expecting much more from Jurrien Timber this season, having paid £38m for the Ajax youngster, and Ben White also able to cover at centre back, the position was not an obvious area for strengthening.

However, the simple fact is that Arteta, Edu and the rest of the key team at Arsenal rate Calafiori very highly. He will not turn 23 until the end of the 2024/25 season so fits the profile age-wise for the sort of player Arteta – and the club’s financial team – like. The other key issue is that he is very flexible in positional terms, and suits the sort of back four that Arsenal have tended to deploy.

Whilst Calafiori is now viewed as a centre back by many, he spent much of the earlier part of his career wider. He is left-footed and began as a left full-back, also playing as a wing-back. He is comfortable in a back three, four or five (in other words, as centre back in a back four or three, and as a wing-back in a back three/five).

It was his manager at Basel, Heiko Vogel, who switched him from the left to the centre. This was partly down to a belief that he was just a little short of pace to go right to the absolute top on the flanks – though still has more than enough in central areas. When Motta brought him to Bologna he was not even considered for a berth at full-back, but it may be that is where Arsenal use him most.

If they do, he will certainly look to step into the middle of the pitch, rather than make marauding runs forward. That will work nicely to allow space for Arsenal’s widemen too, whilst of course Calafiori will also be available to cover at centre back as and when needed, or on any occasions when Arteta decides a back three is the right tactical call.