Arsenal stars Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes
Image credit: Getty Images
Riccardo Calafiori has expressed his eagerness to play in multiple positions for Arsenal and has even admitted he would “love” to learn how to be a midfielder.
The 22-year-old Italian defender arrived at the Emirates last summer in a £42 million move from Bologna, and despite facing injury setbacks, he has made 26 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals.
Calafiori’s first season in North London has coincided with the rapid emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has cemented himself as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back. However, the Italy international’s versatility—a key reason behind Arsenal’s pursuit—has seen him feature at centre-back under Mikel Arteta.
Given Arteta’s preference for inverted full-backs, Calafiori’s natural ability to step into midfield aligns well with Arsenal’s tactical philosophy. Yet, the defender is keen to go one step further by fully adapting to a midfield role if given the opportunity.
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“There are many things that I still don’t know how to do,” Calafiori toldRivista Undici. “I want to keep learning to play in as many different roles as possible. For now, I know how to play two roles, but I have always been passionate about midfielders and would love to learn how to play there.”
Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori (Image credit: Getty Images)
Since arriving at Arsenal, Calafiori has been impressed by Arteta’s attention to detail, crediting the Spanish coach as one of the most influential managers in his career.
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“Thiago Motta first, then Luciano Spalletti and Mikel Arteta all changed me—in terms of my vision, the spaces to occupy, everything,” he said. “I think there are many defenders with my characteristics out there, probably even better than me. But I do a lot of work off the field, and perhaps that makes the difference.”
Calafiori also reflected on a defining moment in his career—Italy’s 1-0 defeat to Spain at Euro 2024, where his own goal proved to be the match-winner in the group-stage clash.
“That is the game I hold dearest in my heart and the one I will never forget,” he admitted. “It will always be one of my greatest satisfactions, the way I was able to react after that own goal. I think I played even better than I had before. The Riccardo of seven or eight months earlier would certainly not have reacted like that.”
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