As Arsenal dominated Leicester, but somehow still required a stoppage-time goal to win the game, Calafiori was at the centre of the drama throughout. No player had more shots on target than the left-back, who signed from Bologna for an initial £34 million, and no player won more duels or headers. Over 90 minutes, no player triggered more excitement.
To be clear, it was a long way from being a perfect performance by the 22-year-old. Calafiori is not yet a refined defensive product and, in his first few appearances for Arsenal, there has been a rawness to his game that has occasionally put him and his team in trouble.
Against Manchester City last week, for example, he erroneously dived into a challenge in advance of Erling Haaland’s goal. And then against Leicester on Saturday, he was fortunate not to be sent off for a second yellow card, after tripping Facundo Buonanotte in the second half. “I got really worried when that happened,” Mikel Arteta admitted afterwards.
Facundo Buonanotte of Leicester City challenges Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium
Calafiori was fortunate not to be sent off against Leicester for a second yellow card, after tripping Facundo Buonanotte Offside/Mark Leech
Calafiori’s slightly reckless nature, though, seems to be a significant part of his charm, and it also helps him to stand out as a different option for Arteta. In a defence full of ice-cool individuals — the likes of William Saliba, David Raya and Ben White are rarely ruffled or rattled — Calafiori is the one who can offer a blazing fire.
Indeed, one of Calafiori’s competitors for the left-back position is Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is loved by Arteta for his precise distribution and clever passing angles. Zinchenko is the sort of player who helps Arsenal to pick a defensive lock. It seems that Calafiori, by contrast, would rather smash the entire door off its hinges.
His goal at City last weekend was a vivid demonstration of these wildcard qualities. When the ball came to him on the edge of the penalty area, most observers would have expected the Italian to cross the ball. Instead, he curled it into the top corner.
Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-1 during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium
Calafiori equalised against Manchester City with a spectacular goal after being at fault for City’s opener Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
There is also a stylistic contrast with Jurrien Timber, another full-back in Arteta’s squad. The former Ajax player was excellent against Leicester at right-back. Strong and technical, Timber thrives in small spaces and congested areas. Calafiori, on the other hand, seems to enjoy striding into open turf, eating up the ground in front of him.
Calafiori certainly does not lack courage and it is this fearlessness that has endeared him to Arsenal’s coaching staff since his arrival. The trip to face City marked his first start for the club, after all, and Arteta said last week that he would not have thrown anyone else into the deep end in such a way.
“With another player, probably I would not do it,” said Arteta. “But because I know how he copes and, when I explained to him, he really wants it, I decided to do it. He has adapted really well to the group, his understanding is exceptional and you see he is a player with an enormous courage and personality to play. He is going to give us a lot.”
It is a measure of Calafiori’s personality that he has so quickly embraced life at a new club, in a new country. When a fashion show was held pitchside at the Emirates earlier this month, Calafiori was more than happy to get involved, wearing an eye-catching denim outfit and posing for pictures. The club, as well as the supporters, appreciate such an attitude.
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