And the Gunners boss hailed a “positive pre-season” after a 2-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais before kicking off the Premier League season against Wolves on Saturday. Starting centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel scored the headed goals from Declan Rice in the first half in a comfortable win.
But the biggest cheer of the sunny afternoon came when £42m signing Calafiori came on after the break. “I just love it when the fans react like that to one of your own,” said Arteta.
“The way you feel it straight away, it’s love, you are respected, they are right behind you. And that’s an unbelievable platform for someone to join our club. That’s the platform for many players to join our club.”
The former Bologna defender, Italy’s best player at Euro 2024, started at left-back and then switched to centre-back after Arteta made six changes - and eight in all - after 77 minutes.
“He brings a lot of versatility because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, occupy different spaces because he’s a real defender,” the Arsenal manager continued. “When you see his press and physicality, how he goes into duels, it’s unbelievable. And then obviously he’s done a lot last year, he’s a player than can improve us.”
Apart from the permanent signing of 'keeper David Raya, Calafiori is the only new Arsenal signing though they remain in the market for a new midfielder and striker. Eddie Nkietah remains a target for Marseille. Arteta reported that Jurrien Timber’s foot is “fine” but Takehiro Tomiyasu is out for “weeks” with his knee injury.
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Riccardo Calafiori made his first appearance for Arsenal as they beat Lyon 2-0 to end pre-season
Former Arsenal favourite Ainsley Maitland-Niles and ex-West Ham forward Said Benrahma were in the Lyon team which finally forced Raya into a save from sub Ernest Nuamah on a counterattack after 87 minutes. The French club then declined to take part in a planned post-match penalty shootout.
But after a pre-season which saw three games in the USA - a draw with Bournemouth, a win over Manchester United and defeat to Liverpool - before the midweek win over Bayer Leverkusen, Areta declared himself happy with preparations for the new season. Bukayo Saka hit the post in the second half.
Riccardo Calafiori makes Arsenal bow in comfortable Lyon win - 5 talking points
“Really good test today again,” he said. “I think overall it’s been a positive pre-season that the tour and a lot of people put in a lot of effort to make it work. And it was a success, and then the two games we’ve had here have been very competitive.
”The team was exceptional, especially in the first half, we played at the highest level. We maintained it and we dropped a little bit in the second half, the conditions were tough but good one as well. So overall, very pleased.”
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