Arsenal have made just one first-team signing so far this summer, as they welcomed Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.
The 22-year-old joined on the back of a strong campaign at Euro 2024, as well as a fine season in Serie A as he helped Thiago Motta’s side qualify for the Champions League.
Calafiori only spent one season at Bologna, and his strong performances at the Euros put him on the radar, as a player not too well known outside of Italy before the tournament.
On the face of it, Calafiori may have appeared to be a signing made on the back of a strong tournament, which is always a risk. However, Mikel Arteta has now revealed that Calafiori has been on Arsenal’s radar for a lot longer than anyone expected.
Mikel Arteta reveals long-term Arsenal interest in Riccardo Calafiori
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta explained what made him want to bring Calafiori in, and revealed that his interest in the defender came long before Euro 2024.
“I fell in love with him when I watched him a year ago and I saw something different – an aura, a charisma, a presence that was not only related to his skill,” he stated.
“We started to follow a player who was 21 at the time, and was reacting to things a 21-year-old normally doesn’t.
“He had a really difficult past, when he had a really difficult injury. When i met him, I said ‘for sure,’ and he was so convinced. He only wanted to come to Arsenal. He only wanted to play for us, so I’m really happy to have him.”
Why Arsenal targeted Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori is expected to play as a left-back for the most part for Arsenal, a different position to where he played for club and country last season.
He did play as a left-back or even in midfield for FC Basel, and Arsenal may be hoping that Calafiori can emulate his previous performances in Switzerland rather than in Italy.
Calafiori’s performance against Juventus last season certainly caught the eye as he scored twice, but his displays for Bologna and Italy would only have been the icing on the cake for his Arsenal move, with his profile clearly desired as part of a longer-term scouting process.
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