The Gunners haven’t been throwing the cash around despite attempting to finally overthrow Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta’s men have come up short in back-to-back seasons but came even closer to snatching top spot last season.
Arsenal are chipping away at City and are now ramping up transfer activity ahead of the new campaign.
Goalkeeper David Raya is staying put with Arsenal turning his loan move from Brentford permanent after a strong season at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are now nearing another addition with Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori on the verge of signing.
Joshua Zirkzee verdict on Riccardo Calafiori
HITC understands that Calafiori is all set for a medical ahead of a £38million move to Arsenal.
The move may see Jakub Kiwior leave Arsenal with Inter Milan now showing an interest in the Polish ace.
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Calafiori’s move is a major boost for Arsenal given that he offers major flexibility for Arteta.
A quality centre back or left back, Calafiori offers depth to Arsenal’s back line and the ability to invert into midfield – especially having likened himself to John Stones.
Calafiori is only 22 as well, so Arsenal may well be able to develop him into an absolute star over the coming years.
Bologna will be gutted though, especially having only recently lost a very important player.
Striker Joshua Zirkzee left the club to join Manchester United, meaning he is now in line to play against Calafiori next season and beyond.
The pair both became key players under Thiago Motta and Zirkzee seemingly liked what he saw from Calafiori.
If you take a look through Calafiori’s Instagram posts, Zirkzee often appears in the comments and continually uses just one word to describe Calafiofi – ‘soldier’.
October, November, December, March… throughout last season, Zirkzee just continued to call Calafiori a ‘soldier’ having been impressed with his displays.
Calafiori already has a nickname from his father, ‘ruspa, which translates to ‘bulldozer’ in English.
Soldier, bulldozer… these are words which speak to Calafiori’s physical and battling qualities alongside the elegance he can provide on the ball.
Arsenal are already a strong side defensively but Arteta will be so excited by the prospect of adding a ‘soldier’ to his back line.
Calafiori’s two nicknames are a lot to live up to, but Zirkzee has seen Calafiori up close and personal over the last year and clearly believes that he has earned the ‘soldier’ tag.
When Arsenal take on Manchester United, Zirkzee may not exactly relish going up against Calafiori as the pair adjust to being rivals rather than teammates.
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