July 30th 2024.
Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, recently introduced their new signing, Riccardo Calafiori, to the team. The Italian defender expressed to Arteta that he had always dreamed of playing for Arsenal, despite being linked to a potential move to Chelsea.
The club officially announced the signing of Calafiori on Monday, with the player signing a five-year contract with the team. Calafiori's impressive performance for Bologna last season, helping them qualify for the Champions League, caught the attention of many. He also received praise during Euro 2024, despite Italy's disappointing exit.
Arsenal spent over £40m to secure the 22-year-old and he immediately joined his new teammates on their pre-season tour in America. While Arsenal was always the frontrunner to sign Calafiori, there were rumors of him being linked to Chelsea earlier in the summer. However, Arteta revealed that Calafiori's heart was set on joining Arsenal and they had a few conversations to ensure the deal went through.
"I spoke to him a couple of times and I was aware of the other interested teams," Arteta stated. "I wasn't sure if we could make it happen, but Calafiori was determined and ready to join Arsenal. He told me, 'let me know when you're ready, my bags are packed, and I just want to come to Arsenal'. When a player has that kind of determination and eagerness to join us and help us improve, it's something to be proud of as a club."
Arteta also expressed his happiness with the signing, admitting that they had been monitoring Calafiori for a year. He also mentioned the team's lack of depth in defense last season, which put a lot of pressure on their players. With Calafiori's arrival, Arteta believes they have found a player with great potential and skills that will strengthen their team.
The new signing will be a valuable addition to an already solid Arsenal defense, which only conceded 29 goals in the Premier League last season. Despite their impressive defensive record, they fell short of winning the Premier League title, as Manchester City claimed their fourth consecutive crown.
Upon his move to Arsenal, Calafiori expressed his joy, saying, "I am really happy to be here. I have waited a long time for this opportunity and I am excited to see what we can achieve this season."
Arsenal has been preparing for the upcoming season with pre-season friendlies, including a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth and a 2-1 win over Manchester United. They will face Liverpool next, managed by Arne Slot, who recently replaced Jurgen Klopp. Arteta is looking forward to the challenge and believes it will be a tough but valuable test for his team.
"It's another great test for us," Arteta said. "We're in a different city with different conditions, but it's all part of the pre-season experience. We will be facing a team with a new manager that I highly admire, especially their playing style. It will be a tough game, but it will also be a good opportunity for us to continue improving."
When asked about his thoughts on Slot, Arteta said, "I don't know him personally, but I have watched his previous team play. I am impressed by him as a person and the way he presents himself. I have also heard great things about him from players, who I believe are the best judges. I am looking forward to seeing how his team plays against us."
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