“It is a huge season for him.”
of Singapore, Mikel Arteta bigged up the significance of a powerful second season for Riccardo Calafiori.
The Italy defender joined from Bologna final summer time after a powerful marketing campaign at membership stage and a formidable private displaying at Euro 2024.
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Calafiori possessed “particular expertise which is able to make us stronger”.
Nonetheless, the 23-year-old managed simply 29 appearances in all competitions and solely 11 Premier League begins throughout an injury-hit marketing campaign.
The Gunners felt his absence at a essential time, Calafiori lacking six league matches from April to Could – a interval during which the Gunners gained simply twice – and the Champions League semi-final first leg defeat by Paris St-Germain.
When he was accessible, he made an influence.
Within the Premier League, Calafiori’s 1.74 tackles per 90 minutes was probably the most within the Arsenal squad, whereas his 0.55 photographs blocked per 90 was the fourth-highest.
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At 6ft 2in, his bodily presence was additionally notable. Solely William Saliba and Ben White gained a better proportion of Arsenal’s top-flight aerial duels than Calafiori, and solely Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz and Oleksandr Zinchenko gained extra aerial duels per 90 than his 2.02.
An imposing left-back, Calafiori additionally confirmed glimpses of his attacking credentials.
Amongst Arsenal defenders, discounting Kieran Tierney who barely performed, solely Myles Lewis-Skelly made extra carries into the ultimate third per 90 within the league than Calafiori’s 1.38.
Equally, Calafiori’s 0.83 profitable take-ons per 90 was solely bettered by Jurrien Timber 0.89.
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Clearly his callenge now could be to remain match.
“Now we would like a participant that’s constantly accessible, and performing on the stage he can do,” mentioned Arteta. “He was definitely missed for an enormous a part of final season.”
As Arsenal put together for a season during which many imagine they have to safe silverware, a fully-fit Calafiori may very well be key to that goal.