Arsenal’s big-name summer signing Riccardo Calafiori has been drip-fed into action for the title-chasing Gunners but the £42million defender insists he’s ready to show what he’s made of
Riccardo Calafiori insists Arsenal believe they can win every game – and will go all-out to beat Manchester City.
Calafiori says the mentality and togetherness in the Arsenal dressing room is the reason why they all believe they can win the title this season. Gunners defender Calafiori has also sent a clear message with his impressive substitute appearances and he has spelt it out in uncertain terms that it is “time” for him “to play.”
Italy international Calafiori, 22, said: “We believe we can win, for sure. Every game we have to win. That’s our belief and our strength of feeling. We can do it. I know Manchester City pretty good already. I don’t need somebody telling me about City – we know all about them.
“But we don’t need to speak about them because we have to focus on ourselves and we can beat them if we do our things well. We have a good spirit, a really good team and from now we should think about Sunday because that is going to be really tough as well.”
Calafiori was Arsenal’s big signing of the summer as the £42m defender arrived from Bologna having been arguably Italy’s standout star at the Euros. His big quality is his versatility as he can play left-back, left-sided centre-half and showed in the goalless draw at Atalanta that he can also operate as an inverted full-back dropping into midfield.
His arrival gives Arsenal real strength in depth and quality but there is also a clear sense from the Italy international that he believes his time has come. Having missed the north London derby with a calf issue, his return to fitness gives him a big chance of starting at the Etihad on Sunday.
Calafiori accepts it was always going to be difficult breaking into what was the meanest defence in the Premier League last season but is determined to nail down his place. “It’s a huge challenge but I knew that already before I came and I can give my qualities, my skills to the team and I’m happy to do it. I know I can give more, for sure,” said Calafiori.
“The competition is good because it pushes everyone in training and in the game as well.” But he also quickly answered back the question as to whether he is settling in at the club and learning Mikel Arteta ’s coaching methods. And he did it with a clear message – it is time for the big summer signing to start.
“I am already settled in. The team has been amazing with me and now it’s time to play,” said Calafiori. “The training has been different but, as I have said before, everybody is ready to help me. They are doing really good for me, I’m learning quickly so now I can stay on the pitch and help the team.
“But I have understood already and, for sure, the intensity is so high and in the game you can see that because the level is amazing in the Premier League and Champions League. But when you play at the highest level, every game is tough. You don’t have so much time to think about it.”
Calafiori insisted that Arsenal will also not look for any excuses on the schedule – City have an extra 24 hours to prepare for the title crunch at the Etihad – and also paid tribute to keeper David Raya after his wonder double save in Atalanta. He added: “They made this schedule, it’s how they made this programme and we just have to adjust ourselves to the challenge.
“It’s not the first time this season that David has saved us! I’m happy for him that he is doing well but, for sure, we have to do better. He is fantastic – he helps us a lot.”
