Riccardo Calafiori has been one of the surprise packages of the season for Arsenal so far, and Leandro Trossard has been speaking about his impressive form.
The Italian defender has really started to find his feet in the Premier League this season and has established himself as a regular in Mikel Arteta’s team.
Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League over the weekend by beating Burnley 2-0, and once again, the 23-year-old was superb.
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Speaking ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League clash against Slavia Prague, Leandro Trossard has been full of praise for his teammate.
Riccardo Calafiori after scoring during Manchester United v Arsenal in the Premier League
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Leandro Trossard loves Riccardo Calafiori’s attacking prowess
Trossard has told the media he’s never seen a full-back like Riccardo Calafiori, who manages to pop up in such attacking positions.
Following the win at Burnley, Alan Shearer hailed Arteta for giving Calafiori such freedom and believes it’s given his team a new dimension.
Meanwhile, the Belgian international also revealed he shares a great relationship with the defender on the pitch and knows exactly when to lay him off the ball.
When asked whether he’s ever played with a full-back like Calafiori, who pops up in attacking positions, Trossard revealed: “No, that’s Riccy, though. I think that’s one of his strengths as well. He pops up everywhere, in the pockets as a striker.
“He has scored some great goals already. So I think that his unpredictability can hurt teams as well, and I have a good relationship with him at the moment.
“So I know what he can do and where he can pop up in what positions. So sometimes I can play a ball blind to him, and I know he will be there.”
Calafiori is playing an underrated role for Arsenal, alongside Jurrien Timber, with their freedom adding a whole new issue for opposition teams.
Leandro Trossard hails Myles Lewis Skelly’s strength
Trossard was also asked about Myles Lewis Skelly, and he revealed that the teenager’s strength is one of his biggest attributes.
“Yeah, they’re just two different types of players. I think Myles will be more inside in possession going into midfield, where he’s so strong and so good on the ball once he gets his body between the ball and the opponent,” added Trossard.
“I think no one can get it off him, and also, he can develop a lot more now. He’s so young still, but he has a great future ahead of him.”