Riccardo Calafiori’s excellent start to the campaign has seen him nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.
The Italian defender has played in all three of our games so far this season, and kicked it off by scoring the winner as we beat Manchester United at Old Trafford - the fourth goal he has scored in our colours since his arrival from Bologna a year ago.
In fact, his three goals in 22 Premier League appearances are more than he managed across his first 69 league outings across spells in Serie A and the Swiss Super League.
He then followed that up by providing two assists in our win against Leeds United, clipping a neat ball over the top for Viktor Gyokeres to latch onto and score his first Gunners goal while also teeing up fellow full-back Jurrien Timber for our fourth of the afternoon.
Only an individual piece of magic by Dominic Szoboszlai prevented Riccardo from making it three clean sheets out of three at Anfield last Sunday, but he has done more than enough to merit a spot on the division’s shortlist for their first accolade of 2025/26.
Szoboszlai is one of seven other players looking to beat Riccardo to the trophy. He is nominated alongside Liverpool teammate Hugo Ekitike, while Erling Haaland is selected after netting three in his first three outings.
New Everton arrival Jack Grealish is recognised for his four assists so far, while Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth and Chelsea recruit Joao Pedro are also contenders.
You can [vote for Riccardo now](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4406010 ), with the poll closing at midday on Monday, September 8.
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