July 26th 2024.
It looks like Riccardo Calafiori is about to become the newest member of Arsenal, leaving Bologna behind. The decision to add him to the team has been fully supported by former Arsenal player, William Gallas. According to him, Calafiori's arrival will only strengthen the already formidable defense of Arsenal. The 22-year-old Italian, who can play both as a center-back and left-back, is expected to join the Gunners soon after successful negotiations earlier this week.
It seems Calafiori will be flying to London on Friday for his medical check-up, and if everything goes well, he will head to the United States where Arsenal is currently located for their pre-season tour. While this is exciting news for Arsenal, it may spell trouble for two of their current players, Jakbub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who may find themselves slipping further down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.
Kiwior, who joined Arsenal from Spezia 18 months ago, has struggled to gain Arteta's trust and is now looking for a return to Serie A, with Inter being his preferred destination. On the other hand, Zinchenko had a promising start at Arsenal after his move from Manchester City two years ago, but his form declined significantly last season due to a series of injuries. Despite some issues at the left-back position, Arsenal still had the best defense in the Premier League last season. With the addition of Calafiori, Gallas believes they will become an even stronger force to reckon with.
According to Gallas, Calafiori was one of the standout players for Italy in Euro 2024. He even consulted a friend who has played in Italy and watches Serie A regularly, and his friend had nothing but praises for the young Italian. Gallas believes Calafiori's versatility and quality make him a perfect fit for Arsenal, especially since the club is currently lacking a dependable left-back.
As for Zinchenko, Gallas believes his days at Arsenal are numbered. The former Arsenal player thinks that the team has outgrown the qualities Zinchenko brought to the team during his first few months in North London. He also points out that Zinchenko had similar issues at Manchester City, where he wasn't always chosen for big games due to his limited defensive abilities. Gallas believes that Arsenal's style of football has evolved, and they now need defenders who are strong and can limit the opponent's chances.
In recent years, there has been a shift in the way teams defend, with full-backs being asked to move into midfield and contribute to the build-up play. However, Gallas believes there is now a trend towards a more solid back four, where defending is the top priority. He believes this period is perfect for real defenders, and Arsenal is moving towards a similar direction. So, it seems like Calafiori's arrival will not only add depth to Arsenal's defense but also align with their evolving defensive strategy.
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