New video reveals Riccardo Calafiori was at Arsenal SEVEN MONTHS before Italian signed in £42m transfer
ARSENAL’S newest arrival Riccardo Calafiori was mixing it with fans of the club some seven months before he sealed his transfer.
Calafiori penned a long-term contract with the Gunners this week, signing from Italian club Bologna in a £42million deal.
GettyRiccardo Calafiori signed for Arsenal this week[/caption]
instagram/worldsocceragencyA video of the new Gunners defender appears to show him at the club back in January[/caption]
instagram/worldsocceragencyThe 22-year-old videoed himself in the tunnel at Arsenal tube station[/caption]
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The versatile defender has plenty of fans excited, but little do they know that he has already been amongst them.
A video shared on Instagram by Calafiori and his agency World Soccer Agency, showed that the 22-year-old was heading towards the Emirates back in JANUARY.
In the clip the Italy international appears to film himself inside the Arsenal underground station while fans can be heard chanting in the background.
The unbelievable clip was filmed on January 20 of this year, the same day that the Gunners battered Crystal Palace 5-0 in the Premier League.
And some fans even think that Calafiori could have been inside the Emirates that day with the clip showing he was a stones-throw from the ground ahead of kick off.
Calafiori also declared his excitement at signing for Arsenal in the clip, saying: “Ever since I was 12 years old I have dreamt of playing in the Premier League.
“To now be doing that with one of the biggest clubs in the world – Arsenal have made my dream come true.
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“The history, the players, the stadium and now our future together.
“I can’t wait to play for this glorious club and to meet the fans properly.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to see Clafiori in action with the Italian already with his new teammates in the US for their pre-season tour.
The Gunners take on Liverpool in a pre-season friendly in Philadelphia in the early hours of the morning, offering a chance for Calafiori to get his first minutes in Arsenal colours.
The star, who will wear the number 33 for the north London club, has revealed that Italy team-mate Jorginho played a role in convincing him to make the Premier League switch.
He said: “It’s the best project for me for the next few years.
“I met Jorginho one month ago but I can see he’s a good guy.
“I was already convinced but he forced me. He said: ‘Come, come, come! You will enjoy being here’.”
Calafiori began his playing career at Roma, where he made just 18 appearances after graduating from the club’s academy.
He later left to join Genoa on loan before making a permanent exit to sign for Basel in 2022.
After one season with the Swiss club, he was snapped up by Bologna last summer where was a crucial part of Thiago Motta’s team, helping them secure Champions League football for the coming season.
Miraculously, Clafiori did all of that in spite of a near career-ending injury during his teenage years.
The Italian didn’t play for 347 days following a surgery when he was just 16 years old – fighting back to make it to the top.
GettyCalafiori is already training with his new teammates[/caption]
GettyThe defender could be in line to make his first appearance for Arsenal in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool[/caption]
Arsenal player ratings vs Man Utd
Here’s how Nick Callow rated Arsenal players against Man Utd
KARL HEIN – 6: The Estonian started in top form with a wonder save from Amad, but he looked to be at fault for Hojlund’s near post opener.
BEN WHITE – 6: Relatively quiet game for Arsenal’s ever-reliable right-back. That is not a bad thing – just means he did is job effectively and did not make any mistakes.
AYDEN HEAVEN – 5: Another solid overall display by the teenager. May come in for criticism when he is older if he lets Hojlund burn past him to score, but he simply is not big enough or strong enough yet.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7: The Dutch defender was billed as the answer to their left-back problems, but it looks like he can play anywhere and play anywhere well too.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO – 6: The versatile Ukraine man was back on the left hand side of defence, having started as a sub against Bournemouth in midweek, and looked much improved and fitter going forward.
JORGINHO – 6: Rarely puts a foot wrong and made the most of his chance to get some minutes under his belt after not starting the midweek match against Bournemouth. Took time to look after Heaven after his error for United’s opening goal.
ETHAN NWANERI – 8: Once again showed that he is the kid to watch at Arsenal. The Premier League’s youngster ever player when he was 15 is now so much better and stronger at 17. Looked more than at home against United’s more established stars.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6: Clearly fitter than most having missed the Euros after Norway’s failure to qualify. The Arsenal skipper once again showed his leadership qualities on and off the ball.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6: The versatile Belgium forward has sussed that Arteta likes players who work very hard for the team and then have some stardust talent to sprinkle on top. He showed a bit of both on the night, without doing anything spectacular.
REISS NELSON – 6: No faulting his effort playing in the Bukayo Saka on the right hand side of the Arsenal attack, but he will have to do more to prove he can fill on for the England international on a regular basis when the season starts.
GABRIEL JESUS – 7: Fit again, for now at least, he is making the most of a restful summer after missing out on selection for Brazil’s Copa America campaign. A menace to the United backline and took his goal well.
SUBSTITUTIONS
JAKUB KIWIOR – 6: Came on for Heaven at half-time and Arsenal instantly looked more secure at the back
SALAH-EDDINE OULAD M’HAND – 6: Looked so comfortable as another half-time introduction – for the impressive Nwaneri.
JOSH NICHOLS – 6: The pint-sized full back was one of five subs introduced during the second period after he seemed to struggle against Bournemouth last time out,
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 6: One of Arsenal’s big hopes for the future replaced Jorginho and did not look out of place in midfield.
GABRIEL – 6: Big Gabi came on for his first pre-season appearance to try to make Arsenal more defensively secure. It worked.
FABIO VIEIRA – 6: Replaced Trossard and played mainly on the right. Had a hand in Martinelli’s winner.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6: Again looked the part in midfield after coming on for Zinchenko.
EDDIE NKETIAH – 6: Steady Eddie came on for Jesus but hardly had a touch.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8: Wasted no time impressing after taking over from Nelson. Some great runs down the wing and a well taken goal.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6: Arsenal fans will be pleased to see their favourite German back in action and looking fit after a busy summer on international duty with his country.
SUBS NOT USED: Tommy Setford, Lucas Nygaard, Alexie Rojas, Omar Rekik, Michel Rosiak Jimi Gower Charles Sagoe Jr
