Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has spoken extensively on what new signing Riccardo Calafiori will add to the Gunners having completed his move to North London in late July.
Both Jorginho and Calafiori featured for Italy at the 2024 European Championships and are set to be reunited at the club level after the 22-year-old made his switch to the Emirates.
Calafiori’s first set of caps for his national team came in that tournament but Jorginho believes he has seen enough and thinks the lad is quality.
Arsenal confirm Calafiori’s arrival
Italy international Riccardo Calafiori joined Arsenal from Serie A side Bologna on a five-year contract. It is believed that the deal is worth about £42m.
The 22-year-old defender was a member of the Azzurri squad at Euro 2024, after a season full of impressive performances at the heart of Bologna’s defence. Riccardo was a constant figure in their backline, emerging as one of the strongest and most consistent performers in Serie A. He helped ‘I Rossoblu’ to an impressive fifth position and Champions League qualification for the first time in 60 years.
Speaking after his unveiling on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the USA, 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.
“There were other clubs, but I don’t care anymore, I’m here and I want to improve to win trophies… the team is young and strong and I like this.
“Now that I’m here, I know I have to go day-by-day, improving with the training squad. When I’m fit, I’m excited to help the team, I hope.
“I have this good feeling. I cannot explain. But for sure, you’ll see on the pitch that it was the right choice.”
When asked if he had been told if he will play at left-back or centre-back, the Italian added: “We didn’t speak a lot about the role, I just want to play and improve. It’s about the team, which necessity we have. I can play in different positions, I don’t care, I just want to play,” Calafiori concluded.
What Jorginho thinks of Calafiori
“It’s a really good signing,” Jorginho said. “He’s a really good young player that will give a lot to the team. He’s a very professional guy, he is hungry to learn and humble. He has a lot to add and grow and learn and I think it’s going to be a good connection.
“To be fair I didn’t know him that much but when I got to know him and see him up close, it’s been great. He has great qualities.
It was widely reported that the former Chelsea midfielder played a role in convincing Calafiori to choose Arsenal ahead of other suitors.
“I sent him a few messages while we were there at the tournament and I spoke with him and said if he wants to take himself to the next level and grow, this is the right place for him to go.
“It’s nice to have a fratello here! We always try to help each other here and that’s what we’re going to do with him as well to make sure he feels at home straight away. It’s great that he’s here, hopefully, he enjoys it and we’ll achieve big things together,” Jorgi concluded.
Edu and Arteta on Calafiori
Sporting Director Edu said: “It has been a great team effort in completing this transfer and we welcome Riccardo to the family.
“We identified Riccardo as part of our strategy to sign players who fit our profile and will reinforce our squad to compete at the highest level. He is 22 but brings quality and experience. He will quickly grow into being an Arsenal player.
“Riccardo has consistently shown his quality for his club and country. He was one of the best players in Serie A last season and gave strong performances for Italy in the Euros this summer. Mikel and our coaches are excited to start working with Riccardo, and we all look forward to seeing him in our shirt.”
Mikel Arteta added: “We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal. He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence.
“Riccardo is a big personality and character, with specific skills which will make us stronger as we push to win major trophies. He has already shown great development in recent seasons with his performances for both Bologna and Italy, with his progression and development in the past year being really impressive.
“We’re looking forward to working with Riccardo, integrating him into the squad, and supporting him in the years to come.”
Where will Calafiori fit in at Arsenal?
Calafiori used the European Championships to upgrade his portfolio and he has deservedly earned a move away from the Italian Serie A to the Premier League.
The 22-year-old, who can play at centre-back or left-back, has signed a five-year contract with the Gunners until 2029 and he adds more quality to a backline that conceded only 29 goals and kept 18 clean sheets in the Premier League last season.
According to Sky Sports News, another Premier League club, as well as Juventus and Real Madrid, tried to sign the Italy international but the young defender only wanted a move to Arsenal and gave his word he would join Mikel Arteta’s side.
Following the confirmation of his arrival, the question now is where Calafiori will fit in at Arsenal. On the surface, it will be difficult to dislodge Arsenal’s first-choice centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Following this new signing, Arsenal tickets will be in high demand for the new season and one to watch out for.
Last campaign, Arsenal also had the meanest defence in the Premier League. While Ben White, Gabriel, and Saliba were mainstays of the backline, the left-back position was rotated among Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, and Takehiro Tomiyasu last season, while Jurrien Timber spent most of the season on the sidelines.
Therefore, it is looking increasingly likely that Calafiori will take that left-back spot and see if he can make it his own under Arteta.