Calafioroi, Martinelli Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has been shortlisted for the Premier League Player of the Month award for August after making a brilliant start to the 2025/26 season.
The 23-year-old Italian, who joined Arsenal from Bologna in July 2024 for a fee of up to £42 million, has quickly become a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s side. His nomination follows a string of standout performances that highlighted both his defensive strength and attacking influence.
Calafiori marked his first league appearance of the season with the winning goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, heading home from a Declan Rice corner while helping secure a clean sheet.
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He followed that up with two assists in a 5-0 win against Leeds United, setting up goals for Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber. Even in Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 defeat at Liverpool, where Dominik Szoboszlai struck a decisive free-kick, Calafiori impressed with his consistency and composure.
Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori (Image credit: Getty Images)
The Premier League has named Calafiori among eight nominees for the August EA SPORTS Player of the Month award. Others on the shortlist include Liverpool duo Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike, Everton’s Jack Grealish, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Chelsea’s Joao Pedro, and Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo. Fans can cast their votes on the EA SPORTS website until 12:00 BST on Monday, September 8, with the winner to be announced on Friday, September 12.
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Calafiori’s resurgence is particularly notable given his injury-hit debut campaign at Arsenal, where knee and muscular problems limited his impact. Now fully fit, he has displaced academy talent Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arteta’s starting XI, contributing one goal, two assists, and two clean sheets in August.
His rise is also a story of resilience. A serious knee injury in 2018 during his Roma days threatened his career, but he rebuilt his reputation at Bologna, where a stellar 2023/24 Serie A campaign earned him his Premier League move. Comfortable at both left-back and centre-back, Calafiori’s ball progression, passing range, and aerial ability have made him an ideal fit for Arteta’s tactical setup.
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