Arsenal have finalized the signing of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna following his standout performances in Serie A and Euro 2024.
Zinchenko, the Ukrainian left-back for Manchester City, has made a bold statement regarding Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League. According to him, the Gunners do not need to copy the tactics of his own team in order to achieve success in the league.
In recent news, Arsenal have made a significant signing by acquiring Italian international Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. The reported fee for the transfer is £33.7 million, with an additional £4.2 million in add-ons. This move has caught the attention of many Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City, who were all rumored to be interested in the talented defender.
Calafiori had an outstanding season in Serie A with Bologna, helping his team secure a fifth-place finish, their best in 50 years. He also impressed on the international stage, starting in all of Italy’s group stage matches at Euro 2024. Unfortunately, he was suspended for their last 16 loss to Switzerland.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his excitement about the signing, stating that Calafiori’s arrival will strengthen their defense and contribute to their pursuit of major trophies. Arteta praised the player’s development and progression over the past year and looks forward to integrating him into the squad.
This is Arteta’s second signing of the summer, following the permanent acquisition of goalkeeper David Raya. Calafiori, who can play both as a centre-half and left-back, started his career at Roma before moving to Basel in 2022. He has joined the Arsenal squad for their pre-season tour in the USA and could potentially make his debut against Liverpool.
Calafiori’s impressive performances at Euro 2024, including a stunning assist against Croatia, have further highlighted his potential. He now joins an Arsenal defense that already boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League last season, conceding only 29 goals in 38 matches.
With this new addition to their squad, Arsenal will be hoping to build on their strong defensive foundation and challenge for the Premier League title. Zinchenko’s comments may suggest that they have their own unique approach to success and do not need to emulate Manchester City’s style of play. Only time will tell if Arsenal can prove him right and mount a serious title challenge in the upcoming season.