📸 Calafiori announces himself to the PL with first Arsenal goal 🚀
Manchester City’s top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal truly lived up to its lofty billing.
The opening minutes of Sunday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium saw off-the-ball skirmishes, a Rodri injury and Erling Haaland’s landmark 100th goal.
But Riccardo Calafiori comfortably outdid those early flashpoints with a sublime equaliser for the visitors at the Etihad Stadium.
From a quickly-taken free kick, Gabriel Martinelli teed up the Gunners’ summer signing for a sumptuous strike that had Ederson well beaten.
CALAFIORI. WOW.
A dream full debut goal for the Gunners 🤩 pic.twitter.com/65Av8MeYw6
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 22, 2024
The Italy international also etched his name into the record books for Mikel Arteta’s side on only his first start in the English top flight.
20 – Riccardo Calafiori is the 20th player to score on his first Premier League start for Arsenal, but only the second of those to do so with a goal from outside the box, after Fábio Vieira against Brentford in September 2022. Introduction. pic.twitter.com/ds08BLbAFW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 22, 2024
Unfortunately for Calafiori, his side surrendered a 2-1 lead deep in second-half added time as John Stones salvaged a point for the champions.
Still, talk about announcing yourself on the biggest stage!