Riccardo Calafiori was Mark Ogden’s pick for signing of the summer, with the pundit arguing that his presence in or absence from the team has been felt.
“The difference he made when he did play…” Ogden began. “I thought he brought some real kind of quality and he toughened up the Arsenal defence and he solved the problem and they have missed him, you know?
“Where Arsenal are right now, they’ve missed him. Let’s be honest, right, there haven’t been that many top signings this season, I have to say, and I did struggle to fill this gap.
“But I thought Calafiori, for me, has been a good signing for Arsenal when he’s been fit.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Ogden was making the comments ahead of Arsenal’s weekend match against Nottingham Forest, and Calafiori’s return in that game didn’t do anything to hurt his reputation.
Despite having just got back from a knee injury, the 22-year-old managed 67 minutes and helped Arsenal to a win and a clean sheet.
The clean sheet was the team’s first in the league since mid-September, though they had kept one in the League Cup and two in the Champions League since then. Calafiori started both of those Champions League games, so he can claim some credit there too.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal acknowledges the fans after the teams victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on August 24, 2024 in Birmingham, England.
Arsenal will hope that Calafiori helps the team rediscover their solidity at the back whilst also offering something going forward, but for now, the main aim should be to get a run of games together.
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