Riccardo Calafiori has revealed the main points of his first dialog with Mikel Arteta, admitting it was “really easy” to speak to the Arsenal supervisor.
Calafiori joined the Gunners in the course of the 2024 summer time switch window, rejecting the advances of Juventus to place pen to paper on a five-year deal on the Emirates Stadium after the membership agreed to fork out £42m to Bologna for his providers.
The defender has already made fairly the impression on Arsenal followers in his first few months on the books, cementing himself as a fan favorite with a surprising aim in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad Stadium on the finish of September.
Talking in an interview with BBC Sport, Calafiori has mentioned how his transfer to Arsenal took place, admitting that he did not actually need a lot convincing due to the stature of the membership.
“He [Arteta] first wrote to me after which mentioned ‘Can I name you?'” mentioned Calafiori. “It was so humble and really easy on the telephone. He wished to elucidate the scenario and what they considered me, what I might enhance.
“He tried to persuade me however I used to be already satisfied. Not simply because it’s Arsenal however as a result of it’s Mikel.
“Throughout my first coaching session I used to be considering ‘is that this actual?’. When seeing the Arsenal brand, might I ever suppose I might be right here now. It’s such an incredible journey.”
The defender additionally revealed that former Roma supervisor Daniele De Rossi helped him make the choice to affix Arsenal.
“He [De Rossi] is one among my mates and I all the time ask him about my largest selections and he all the time provides me good recommendation,” revealed Calafiori.
“I spoke to him about coming to Arsenal and he mentioned ‘this one of many largest alternatives so that you can enhance as a participant’.”
Calafiori is about to line up for Arsenal as soon as once more this weekend once they face off in opposition to Bournemouth within the Premier League.
