Adrian Clarke analyses the key summer signings and the impact they could make at their new clubs in the Premier League this season.
Player analysis - Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)
Mikel Arteta started 12 of Arsenal’s final 15 Premier League matches of 2023/24 with a back four made up entirely of natural central defenders, so the purchase of Italy's UEFA EURO 2024 star Riccardo Calafiori makes plenty of sense.
Arsenal's new 6ft 2in signing is primarily a left-footed centre-back, but with Gabriel Magalhaes occupying that role alongside William Saliba in the division’s most secure partnership, barring injuries, the 22-year-old is likely to see more action as a full-back.
At Bologna, Calafiori was extremely comfortable operating in the wider left channel as part of a back three.
And as he displayed for Italy this summer, he also has a tendency to drive into central midfield areas too, using his progressive distribution to good effect.
Calafiori recently described Manchester City’s John Stones as his "reference" when discussing the style of play he resembles most, after being encouraged by former coach Thiago Motta to wander into midfield.
The heat map below from last season's Serie A showcases the areas where he had the ball most often.
Calafiori has a set of traits that help to formulate a near-perfect left-back option for Arteta, whose Arsenal side showed greater threat down the right than down the left last season.
The Arsenal head coach likes a tall backline, demands high levels of technical quality and loves his left-back to invert into the midfield during the build-up phase.
This style of player allows Ben White to venture forward a little more frequently down the opposite flank, where he works so well in tandem with Bukayo Saka.
Calafiori has potential to fit in seamlessly in north London.
Bolstering the backline ✍️ pic.twitter.com/PaURTwJbci
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 29, 2024
Position up for grabs
Arteta’s starting XI has been consistent across the last two campaigns, but he has rotated more heavily at left-back than anywhere else on the pitch.
It certainly feels as if an element of trust has been lost in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s defending.
This allowed Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu, with 10 and seven starts respectively at left-back, an opportunity to effectively share that role with the Ukrainian, who ended up making only 20 Premier League starts during 2023/24.
Jurrien Timber’s return from a long-term knee injury makes him a viable option for time on that side of Arsenal’s back four, but with Calafiori being a natural left-footer, there is an argument to suggest he provides greater balance.
Whichever way you look at it, his arrival significantly improves the Gunners’ depth, reinforcing an already excellent defence.
Duel machine
Calafiori’s quality in possession is one reason why Arteta was so interested in recruiting him this summer, but his defensive qualities should not be underestimated.
Only one Serie A defender made more ball recoveries per 90 minutes last season, and he also ranked fifth for the most interceptions, stepping forward to break-up play on 50 occasions.
Calafiori is also excellent in the air, winning over 71 per cent of his aerial duels for Bologna in the previous campaign.
Calafiori's 2023/24 Serie A stats
| Stat | Calafiori | Serie A rank |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Recoveries/90 | 7.5 | 2nd |
| Interceptions | 50 | 5th |
| Aerial duel success | 71.4% | 5th |
| Passes/90 | 68.6 | 9th |
At EURO 2024 he was also successful in seven of nine aerial duels.
When compared with the duel success of his new defensive team-mates last season, Calafiori's rate last season in Serie A was greater than theirs.
Calafiori v Arsenal defenders 2023/24
| Player | Duel success | Aerial duel success |
|---|---|---|
| Riccardo Calafiori | 63.1% | 71.4% |
| Oleksandr Zinchenko | 60.8% | 62.8% |
| Ben White | 53.3% | 62.1% |
| William Saliba | 59.7% | 59.5% |
| Jakub Kiwior | 58.0% | 59.3% |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu | 53.3% | 55.6% |
| Gabriel Magalhaes | 60.3% | 55.4% |
He is intelligent, physically imposing and blessed with good pace and so should be a reassuring presence.
Calafiori scoring for Bologna
Best play of May: lo scavetto di Calafiori 🥄#ForzaBFC #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/ZKBgJQy3NY
— Bologna FC 1909 (@Bolognafc1909) June 3, 2024
Boosting creativity
Blessed with an accurate left foot, Calafiori can also make a positive impact on Arsenal’s creativity in 2024/25. Last season, Arsenal's threat came largely down the right, with 42 per cent, compared with 35 per cent down the left.
He created four chances in open play from just three appearances at EURO 2024, and ended the last Serie A campaign with five assists from 17 key passes.
A threat at set-pieces too, he scored twice from 17 attempts for Bologna.
This defender template wheel from Opta tells the story of an outstanding, ball-playing defender who offers more than most inside the final third.
Ticking the boxes
It is hard to see how Arsenal’s defensive security will not be enhanced by the Italian’s arrival based on what he has produced for club and country across the last 12 months.
Calafiori immediately strengthens Arteta’s defensive options at centre-back and left-back - while inside both penalty boxes his aerial prowess will only add to their powerful existing presence.
At an age where his game should develop throughout the course of his contract, the 22-year-old looks a shrewd, well thought-out acquisition.
