In a recent interview, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said that he has “fallen in love” with one of the his players, Riccardo Calafiori, as the Gunners gear up for the 2024-25 Premier League season opener against Wolves.
Arteta’s love for the young Italian defender comes at a time when Arsenal hopes to clinch the Premier League title in the new season after finishing second in each of the last two seasons.
Arsenal’s Summer Strengthening
Arsenal have not been very active in the market in this summer transfer window, especially acquiring only Calafiori from Bologna in a £42 million deal. Although the club have also made the signing of Spanish goalkeeper David Raya permanent from Brentford.
The player who can play at both central defence and the left back positions has particularly engaged the interest of Mikel Arteta.
Arteta revealed this speaking to Sky Sports where he stated that he has been monitoring Calafiori for well over one year.
The Calafiori Factor
Sharing his story, Arteta confessed, ‘I fell in love with him’. Last year I watched him and observed a certain attitude, a certain magnetism, which had little to do with skills.’
Calafiori’s journey to Arsenal has not been without its challenges, including overcoming a significant knee injury.
"Every year it's going to be harder so we have to be better and set new standards, if we do that, we are going to give ourselves a good chance" 📈
Mikel Arteta on what his Arsenal side need to do to win the Premier League this season 🏆pic.twitter.com/5gHkWFtZ4L
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 14, 2024
MikelArteta stressed that Calafiori is quite young, however, he revealed good level of professionalism and stated that he really wanted to become an Arsenal player.
“He was so convinced, he only wanted to come to Arsenal, he only wanted to play for us,” Arteta added. “I’m really happy to have him!”
The Young defender featured in Arsenal’s pre-season fixture against Olympique Lyon and impressed as reported by Sportsbuddy.
Arsenal’s Title Ambitions
When discussing future prospects Arteta also stated that winning the Premier League becomes harder as time goes by, so the team needs to progress.
“Every year it is going to be harder ,” said Arteta. ‘We must be better and achieve higher standards as this would help us to be in a better position to achieve a good chance.”
While Arsenal start their journey by facing Wolves, the focus of many Arsenal fans will be on Calafiori who may be a game-changer for the club in the current season.
