Most Arsenal fans have been wondering where Riccardo Calafiori is and why he wasn’t in the team for Wednesday’s game, after missing the Liverpool friendly as well.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered an update on Calafiori’s status, indicating when the Italian defender may make his debut. Calafiori, who signed a £38 million package from Bologna, will make his Arsenal debut this weekend.
Arteta has reassured Arsenal fans that the defender is doing well; yes, he hasn’t played yet, but that’s part of the plan as the club is gradually integrating him into the team. The manager’s comments demonstrate Arsenal’s determination to ensure Calafiori has the best possible start at the Emirates Stadium.
Having never played in England, the 22-year-old must yet adjust to the varied conditions such as weather, fan culture, and high expectations, so it is reasonable that Arsenal’s decision-makers are patient with him.
“In regard to Riccardo, so much happened to him in one week!” Arteta shared with the media. “He’s come into a new environment with a different methodology an different training so we are managing him and we want to do it slowly and in the best way possible. Hopefully, he will be available to play some minutes on Sunday.”
The Lyon friendly on Sunday provides a crucial opportunity for Arteta to examine Calafiori’s progress since signing and possibly make a judgement on his readiness to impact his project. Arsenal fans will be eager to see what the young defender can add to the team, considering the anticipation that has come with his arrival. Hopefully, he lives up to the expectations.
Peter Rix
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OT – According to Ornstein, OM & De Zerbi will be getting Nketiah very soon on loan with an obligation to buy at approx €30.
Thinking he will be in the team against Lyon, but will it be at LB or CB? Off topic, meanwhile things heating up in the transfer market, for our rivals that is, with Neto off to Chelsea and Solanke to spurs!
I saw a report on JA that a media outlet was stating that we made an offer for the Turkey LB (Fenerbache disinformation?). I did notice Gabriel sitting closer to Ramsdale on the bench the other day, oh my.
Solanke to Spurs – I can see Richarlison sulking already 🤣🤣
Solanke is the most underrated striker in football imho.
I posted some wide-ranging stats for all the PL strikers’ here towards the end of last season and they showed things that just looking at basic stats such as total goals scored didn’t tell us. When you added it all up, Solanke was better than Haaland!
This is smart business by Spurs. He will be even better in a team that plays an attacking style than in a counter-attacking Bournemouth setup.
I also thought Solanke would have been worth the risk. Now I hope I was very wrong (at least when he plays for Spurs).