The signing of defender Riccardo Calafiori took a year to prepare Arsenal boss Mikel Artetawho identified the 22-year-old as someone who will “make them better” and fit them into their new, more “evolved” style of play.
The versatile Italy international can play as both a left-back and a central defender, which was a factor in the Gunners spending over £42 million to bring him from Bologna to the Premier League.
“We identify him as a talent who can give us skills and qualities that will make us better,” Arteta said ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season game against Liverpool in Philadelphia. “We are signing a player with enormous development capacity.
“He can play in both positions and the way we want to play and evolve our game means he is a player who will fit in very well with what we want.”
Boosting the defense was always going to be high on Arteta’s list this summer, with William Saliba playing every Premier League minute last season.
Despite the deal taking longer than both parties would have liked, both Arteta and Calafiori were desperate for it to happen.
“I spoke to him once or twice and that was when I didn’t know if we could make it or not,” Arteta said.
“He was adamant: ‘Let me know when you’re ready, my bags are packed and I just want to go to Arsenal.’ Those were his words.
“When you have that feeling of desire and determination to make us better. We should be very proud of that.”
For Calafiori, there was only one club he wanted to leave Bologna for.
“I was really convinced to come here. For me, it’s the best project I could have to improve as a player”, he said.
“There were other clubs, but I’m no longer interested. I’m here and I want to win trophies. This is the best project because the team is young and can win trophies. My mentality is to win.
Calafiori could make his Gunners debut for Liverpool at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
