**Ex-Arsenal star Lauren believes his former club have recruited a “top player” in Riccardo Calafiori.**
Speaking to [Betarades.gr](https://www.betarades.gr/thrylos-tis-arsenal-exigei-giati-o-tzolis-dyskoleyetai-stin-premier-league/), the ‘Invincible’ said that the Italian international possesses the ‘X Factor’ because he excels in almost every aspect of the game:
“In modern football, the full-backs have to be able to understand all those changes within the game nowadays. If you don’t understand how to identify where the spaces are, it will be very difficult to build out from the back. It will be very difficult to get into those positions in the middle of the park to be an extra man.”
“So, obviously, the more you understand what’s required the game in that sense, then of course he could be an X factor, and he is an X factor because he’s overlapping also on the left, he provides crosses, scoring goals, he’s good on set pieces, I mean, he’s a top player.”
Calafiori has had a great start to the season
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It could be argued that the 24-year-old has been the Gunners’ most consistent performer over the first eight games across all competitions.
Calafiori started and scored in the Community Shield against Manchester City back in August, provided the assist for [**Kai Havertz**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-injury-news-kai-havertz-8/)‘s opener during the opening day win over Coventry City, and created the winner for Bukayo Saka in the following fixture against Aston Villa.
The Italian has had less impact on results over the past few matches, but his displays have been top drawer.
Arsenal will hope he stays fit
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The only downside with Calafiori is his proneness to injury. Over the past two years, he has been sidelined on no less than nine occasions, missing 44 matches for club and country – that is equivalent to three-quarters of one season.
Manager Mikel Arteta was smart to bring in Piero Hincapie to provide competition in the event he does get struck down, but there is no doubt who is the No. 1 left-back at the moment.