Calafiori didn’t start the game, but did enter the Emirates pitch in the second half, playing his first minutes for Arsenal as a left-back and then as a left centre-back.
The Italian looked slightly rusty, but it was already clear why Mikel Arteta was so determined to sign the defender, a real physical presence who has the skill on the ball to match.
That being said, it wasn’t just Calafiori who was attempting to prove a point to the Arsenal fans, many others were competing to win their place in Arteta’s first league eleven of the season.
Gabriel Martinelli was handed a rare start ahead of Leandro Trossard on the left-wing, perhaps given a chance to prove that deserves to play against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Although, it has to be said that the Brazilian still didn’t look quite at his best, often slightly cumbersome in key moments, even if he was working extremely hard.
Oleksandr Zinchenko delivers Arsenal masterclass in front of Riccardo Calafiori
On the topic of players hoping to prove a point, every opportunity seems crucial for Oleksandr Zinchenko right now.
TBR Football shared earlier in the summer that Arsenal were open to selling Zinchenko – even if it doesn’t seem as if any interest has arrived.
Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium on August 07, 2024 ...
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Instead, the £32m-defender looks set to stay, handed Alexis Sanchez’s old number 17 for the new season.
And in his minutes against Lyon in Sunday’s 2-0 win, Zinchenko was excellent.
The Ukrainian looks so determined to prove everyone wrong this season, undeterred by the new challenge of Calafiori and Jurrien Timber – who feels like another new signing.
As always, Zinchenko was excellent on the ball, but most importantly, the defender looked fully focused – often criticised for switching off defensively.
It has to be said that the Arsenal defender often thrives against teams defending deep at the Emirates, but something feels different this year, Zinchenko looks revitalised.
And perhaps his form will allow Arteta to ease Calafiori in slowly, as well as Timber who’s currently out injured.
All that being said, it seems as if one Arsenal defender may still leave amid fresh interest.
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