Why Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori has been one of the stars of Euro 2024, but Arsenal’s new signing is not just a ‘tournament’ buy.

Arsenal have been following the 22-year-old closely for months. And they’re not the only ones doing so. Bayern Munich have made enquiries, Real Madrid have been big fans, Juventus have been hot on his heels and other Premier League clubs have expressed interest. The player has no shortage of options.

And yet, since the end of last season, Arsenal has been Calafiori’s priority. He wanted to move to London and the Premier League, and be part of this promising young team. Above all, he wanted to play for Mikel Arteta.

The Arsenal manager was the driving force behind the deal. Arsenal’s recruitment department had been following Calafiori’s spectacular progress at Bologna, but it was Arteta who insisted on going ahead with the transfer.

Calafiori’s excellent performances at the Euros failed to attract Arsenal’s interest, but they confirmed that he was a player with the qualities and mentality to thrive on the biggest stage. Arteta was taken by Calafiori’s combination of technical ability, defensive intelligence and courage on the ball.

Arsenal have done everything to support their manager’s intuition. Initially, the directors hoped to sell one of their current defenders to facilitate the arrival of Calafiori.

After weeks of negotiations, fears that Real Madrid might try to scupper the transfer prompted Arsenal to accelerate negotiations. Sporting director Edu and his assistant Jason Ayto agreed a deal that could be worth £42 million ($53.9 million) – although the guaranteed fee is less than £40 million. Having flown to London for a medical on Saturday, Calafiori signed a five-year contract with Arsenal and joined his new teammates in Philadelphia.

Calafiori played at left centre-back for Italy during the Euros. But his training at Roma was mainly at left-back, and that is the role he is likely to return to with Arsenal. His versatility is part of his appeal.

Like Ben White and Jurrien Timber, he offers Arteta flexibility in his backline.

The Athletic English news site The Guardian first reported Arsenal’s interest in a new left-footed defender in December 2023. Arsenal entered the 2023-24 season with several availability issues in defence. Oleksandr Zinchenko started the season slowly as he recovered from a calf problem and did not start his first Premier League game until September. Takehiro Tomiyasu also suffered injury and suspension. Perhaps the most significant blow was new signing Timber’s ACL injury on matchday one, which left him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Arteta likes to have eight fit senior defenders – for much of last season he was far from that.

Throughout the season, the left-back position has suffered from a lack of continuity, with Arsenal having to make cuts and changes to deal with form and fitness issues.

Zinchenko, Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior have occupied the position at different times this season. Tomiyasu has made the strongest case for the job, but his absence from this summer’s US tour illustrates the injury problems that have plagued his time at Arsenal.

The search for a left-back has not been easy. Arteta’s requirements for the full-back position are specific. Ajax’s Jorrel Hato was considered but signed a new contract in March. Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie was another name put forward by the recruitment department.

Arteta then thought of Calafiori as the ideal player for the job. The player was delighted, it was the transfer he had been hoping for. Despite interest from other clubs, Calafiori’s commitment to joining Arsenal never wavered.

Three factors complicated the negotiations. First, English clubs are often charged high prices by clubs on the continent. Then there was the issue of the almost 50% commission owed by Bologna to Basel, his club until August 2023. Finally, there was Calafiori’s performances at the Euros. Each game for Italy saw the defender gain new admirers and Edu saw the final price climb.

In light of all this, Arsenal feel they have secured a bargain. While the price tag may seem steep for a defender who only began to shine last season, the club believe that – as with their £50m investment in White in 2021 – Calafiori’s value will be proven in the long term. The signing fits into Arsenal’s strategy of signing young players who have already accumulated considerable experience. Throughout the negotiations, they were helped by the fact that Calafiori had made his preference for Bologna clear.

Arsenal had initially planned to sell a defender first to help pay for Calafiori, with Kiwior the most likely candidate, but decided to conduct a cull of competing clubs. The financial burden was also eased when the club became confident of receiving substantial fees for Emile Smith Rowe.

If Arteta was looking for a benchmark for Calafiori’s quality and character, he would have known who to turn to. Calafiori’s manager last season was his good friend, Thiago Motta.

Arteta and Motta were born in the same year, 1982, and have known each other since playing together in midfield for FC Barcelona B. With Motta installed as Juventus manager, the two friends have become rivals in the race for Calafiori.

This is not the first time Arsenal have signed a defender who played under Motta. In January 2023, Kiwior arrived after spending a season under Motta at Spezia. Arteta and Motta share similar philosophies, so it is hoped that this will speed up Calafiori’s adaptation.

Calafiori will also be able to count on the presence of his international team-mate Jorginho. The 32-year-old is expected to take Calafiori under his wing to help him adapt to his new life in London.

Like any new player, Calafiori has certain areas to prove himself in. His technical ability is beyond doubt, but the Premier League will pose a different physical challenge to Serie A or international football.

Availability is a key asset for Arteta. In 2018, while playing for Roma in the UEFA Youth League, the young Calafiori suffered a serious injury to his left knee, which cast doubt on his development. The knee was repaired by the same specialist, Dr Freddie Fu, who had treated Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Calafiori made 30 Serie A appearances last season. Arsenal have done their homework – and had a full medical – and believe Calafiori’s injury problems are behind him.

In the end, Arteta’s strength of conviction was enough to dispel any doubts. Under his guidance, Arsenal landed one of Europe’s most promising defensive talents. As they look to crush Manchester City, the foundations of this Arsenal team look stronger than ever.

(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Dan Goldfarb)