Arsenal’s new signing Riccardo Calafiori says he was satisfied about becoming a member of the membership from Bologna earlier than he’d even spoken to Mikel Arteta and Edu, however his choice was reaffirmed by a powerful push from new teammate Jorginho.
The 22-year-old has signed a long-term contract on the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal agreed to pay a complete package deal value €45m (£37.8m) to shock Champions League qualifiers Bologna.
Calafiori stood out for Italy at Euro 2024, regardless of their early exit on the final 16 stage, and joins a strong-looking Arsenal backline that boasts the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, and Jurrien Timber.
Able to enjoying at centre-back and left-back, Calafiori will add one other optimistic dynamic to Arsenal’s exceptionally gifted squad, and the Italian advised membership media in his first interview that he cannot wait to check himself within the Premier League.
“It feels superb,” he stated. “It was powerful till now, however lastly we’re right here and I can’t wait to begin to practice with the group and play for the followers.
“It’s truly been my dream since I used to be 12 or 13 years outdated, as a result of I can see the extent of the league right here and the very best gamers on the planet, for me, play right here. It’s a dream and never just for me, however for everyone.”
Tune in to 90min’s YouTube channel as Harry Symeou will get the professional lowdown on Riccardo Calafiori from Italian soccer journalist Alessandro Eremiti.
“I spoke rather a lot with the coach and with Edu, they usually satisfied me, however I used to be already satisfied on my own,” he continued. “I feel it’s the very best mission for me for the subsequent few years, and I feel I’ll enhance as a participant.
“I simply met [Jorginho] one month in the past, however I can see that he’s a extremely good man. I used to be already satisfied however he pressured me. He stated: ‘come, come, come! You’ll get pleasure from being right here, the group is superb and the employees, every little thing is sweet.’ You possibly can see that already from the primary couple of minutes right here.”
Calafiori was already joined up together with his Arsenal teammates for his or her pre-season tour of the US, the place he’ll hope to get expertise underneath his belt forward of the membership’s push for a primary Premier League title in over 20 years.
Arsenal have come up simply brief in every of the final two campaigns, falling to Manchester Metropolis every time, however harbour ambitions of successful a primary Premier League crown since Arsene Wenger’s well-known Invincibles completed the 2003/04 season unbeaten.
“I got here right here to play so I’ll do every little thing to play and to offer one thing to the group,” Calafiori concluded. “I hope I can do this from the primary few video games. From my viewpoint, it’s simply the beginning, the start of one thing greater. I’m excited to begin to play for Arsenal and to win trophies.”
