Riccardo Calafiori has revealed what his goal at Arsenal is next season as the defender responds to transfer rumours linking him with a return to Italy.
The 23-year-old swapped Bologna for London last summer as the Gunners forked out £42million to bring the Italy international to Emirates Stadium. After such an impressive Euro 2024 with his country, there were high hopes for Calafiori under Mikel Arteta but the centre-back, who can also play left-back, endured a stop-start campaign.
Injuries have restricted Calafiori's minutes in his debut season in north London, although he has made 29 appearances in all competitions. The Gunners have just one more match to play - Southampton on Sunday in the Premier League - before the squad jet off around the world before returning for pre-season.
Calafiori will definitely be among those to be playing in the red and white of Arsenal in the 2025/26 season amid murmurings he could make a return to Serie A in the summer. “I am very happy at Arsenal," the defender told gianlucadimarzio.com.
Asked for his thoughts on his first season in England, Calafiori said: "I always feel good in every position I play, I try to help the team. In my opinion, what was missing was just continuity this year.
"I will try to be more consistent next year. When I was good, I always played and I also made the difference. The goal is just to stay in shape all year."
The Italian added: "For me personally it was a great experience. Obviously when you win trophies it’s always better. Here I measured myself against the most important and difficult championship in the world.
"I saw that I can be there easily, this made me very happy and I am convinced of the choice I made. A regret? None, absolutely."
Calafiori is expected to be involved in Italy's World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova in June, before he then takes some time off ahead of pre-season. Everyone associated with Arsenal will be hoping the defender returns to north London fit and firing for what promises to be a gruelling 2025/26 season.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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