Mikel Arteta has disclosed a new signing. Although Riccardo Calafiori was linked to Chelsea, he informed him he had only ever wanted to join for Arsenal.
On Monday afternoon, Calafiori, an Italian defender, signed a five-year contract with Arsenal, which the team announced.
In spite of Italy’s lackluster elimination from the Champions League previous season, Calafiori was praised for his performance for Bologna in the tournament.
The 22-year-old was signed by Arsenal for more than £40 million, and he promptly embarked on a preseason tour of America with his new teammates.
Although it was always thought that Arsenal was in the lead in the fight to recruit Calafiori, earlier in the summer, their summer target was linked to a move to Chelsea.
But Arteta says Calafiori only ever wanted to join Arsenal and revealed he spoke to the Italy star a couple of times to make sure the deal was still on track.
‘I spoke to him one or two times and I knew the other things [teams being interested],’ Arteta said.
‘I wasn’t really sure if we could do it or not, but he was adamant: “let me know when you’re ready, my bags are ready and I just want to come to Arsenal”.
‘Those were his words and when you have that feeling, someone with that willingness to join us and make us better and that determination, it’s something really powerful and as a club, we should be really proud of that.
‘I’m very happy. It took a while – it was a player that we have monitored for a year. We were really short in the backline last year in terms of numbers and we demanded so much from them.
‘William Saliba, for example, played in every minute of the Premier League and we believe we had to be more protected.
Benvenuto, Riccardo Calafiori 🇮🇹
Meeting new teammates for the very first time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JbUhqOBCMN
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 29, 2024
‘We identified him as a talent that can give us skill and qualities that are going to make us better. We are signing a player with a huge capacity to develop.’
Calafiori will strengthen an Arsenal defence that conceded just 29 goals in the Premier League last season.
Despite the excellent defensive record, Arsenal still fell short of an elusive Premier League title as Manchester City won a record fourth consecutive crown.
Reacting to his move to Arsenal, Calafiori said: ‘I’m really happy to be here. I waited a lot for this.
‘I hope we are going to do something great this season.’
Arsenal prepare to face Liverpool in pre-season
Arsenal drew 1-1 with Bournemouth in their first pre-season friendly before beating Manchester United 2-1 thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
The Gunners continue their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign in the early hours of Thursday morning with a friendly against Liverpool, managed by Jurgen Klopp’s replacement Arne Slot.
‘It’s another great test,’ Arteta said. ‘We’re in a different city, there’s jetlag and we have to adapt to that.
‘It’s a different pitch, different stadium and weather conditions. It’s all great, and we’re against a team with a new manager that I really like, especially the way he plays. It is going to be really tough and will be a good test as well.’
Asked what he likes about Slot, Arteta added: ‘I don’t know him personally but I watched him with his past team.
‘First of all, I like him a lot as a person and the way he comes across. I’ve heard very good things from players who are probably the best ones to ask.
‘I’m really impressed with the way he sets out his teams and the clarity and the quality that they show, so it’s going to be a really good game.’