In the absence of a debut for Riccardo Calafiori in his first couple of weeks at Arsenal, supporters on social media busied themselves preparing a chant for the new signing.
‘Calafiori Dreamin’ was among the options proposed, but one alternative soon emerged as the online favourite. Calafiori, it was declared to the tune of ‘That's Amore’, had chosen red over blue to play for Mik and Edu.
It was hard not to feel underwhelmed, then, when the Italian defender trotted down the touchline to warm-up in Arsenal’s final pre-season match against Lyon, and was serenaded not with a reminder that he would be playing at the back and stopping attacks, but a more rudimentary ‘Oh Calafiori’.
That came towards the end of the first-half and the 22-year-old got his chance to make a first Arsenal appearance after the break, coming off the bench for the final 25 minutes.
He received a huge ovation as he replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko, a reception Mikel Arteta discussed after the match.
A first taste of Arsenal action 🤩 pic.twitter.com/2wnPhHouJv
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 11, 2024
“I just love it,” the Arsenal boss said.
“When the supporters react like that to one of our own it's great. The way you feel it straight away, it's love, he's respected and they're right behind you.
“That's an unbelievable platform for many players to join our club.”
Arteta has emphasised that Calafiori would not be rushed into action, leaving him out of matches against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, but the Italian appeared keen to make up for lost time here.
A first dart forward from left-back did not take long, overrunning the ball but then snapping into a challenge to try and win it as he pushed right up the pitch. Calafiori is a very obvious physical presence, aggressive in the duels that Arteta so often references. He was composed on the ball, both when tucking into midfield and drawing a foul out wide.
After ten minutes of roaming around from left-back, Calafiori was moved into the centre of defence to partner Jakub Kiwior for the closing stages.
He was confident and disciplined in doing so, showing good pace to get back and clear the danger when Gift Orban briefly appeared to be in behind, and Calafiori played his part in the Gunners securing a clean sheet.
Zinchenko has impressed in pre-season for Arsenal, raising the prospect that Calafiori will not immediately secure a regular place in the starting lineup.
There will be opportunities, though, with Takehiro Tomiyasu facing weeks out and the Gunners understandably cautious over Jurrien Timber’s fitness.
Calafiori’s cameo against Lyon showcased his versatility, the Italian capable of ensuring the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel do not have to play near enough every minute at centre-back, while also offering a different profile at left-back.
His aggressive style should endear him to fans, potentially enough to get the amateur lyricists back to the drawing board.
