How Riccardo Calafiori compares to Arsenal’s current centre-backs and endorsements from Italy legends

Arsenal have completed the signing of Italian centre-back Riccardo Calafiori, the club announced on Monday.

The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal at the Emirates, arriving from Bologna for a fee believed to be in the region of £42m. Calafiori represents the Gunners’ second major transfer of the summer after making Spanish goalkeeper David Raya’s loan from Brentford permanent.

“We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal. He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.

“Riccardo is a big personality and character, with specific skills which will make us stronger as we push to win major trophies. He has already shown great development in recent seasons with his performances for both Bologna and Italy, with his progression and development in the past year being really impressive.

“We’re looking forward to working with Riccardo, integrating him into the squad, and supporting him in the years to come.”

Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal: Incoming Gunners transfer given huge endorsement by Italy legends

Former Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci recently gave a glowing appraisal of Calafiori ahead of his move to Arsenal.

Calafiori played a starring role as Bologna secured a shock fifth-place finish in Serie A last season, securing Champions League football in the process. The 22-year-old was first among his teammates last season for interceptions (50), aerial duels won (60), headed clearances (47), and possessions won in the defensive (107) and middle thirds (81). At the other end, he also provided a team-high five assists and scored twice.

That was then followed up by an eye-catching showing at Euro 2024, with Calafiori walking away as one of the few Italian players able to hold their heads high.

It’s little surprise, then, that Arsenal have pulled out all the stops to bring Calafiori to the Emirates, with some complications finally overcome and the transfer finally made official.

Even more impressive is the fact Arsenal were able to stave off competition from Real Madrid and Juventus in order to land their man. Perhaps the biggest endorsement Calafiori can receive is Bonucci’s disappointment at him not signing for Juventus, while being tipped to lead the national team for over a decade to come.

“Calafiori? I’m sorry about his transfer. I would have liked to see him at Juventus,” Bonucci — who played over 500 times for Juventus across two spells, winning eight Serie A titles and playing in two Champions League finals — told Sky Sport Italia, adding: “He’s a defender who’s a little different to what we’re used to seeing. He plays, has personality and fits in.

“We’re exporting a great player who will be a point of reference for the national team for the next 15 years.”

Incredibly, Calafiori entered Euro 2024 with just two senior international caps to his name, while the first group match against Albania was his competitive debut for Italy. The youngster looked anything but overawed by the occasion, completing 99 of his 106 attempted passes and creating one chance, while winning all three of his aerial duels and registering three interceptions and five recoveries.

That performance earned rave reviews from another two legends of Italian football, Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Capello.

“Calafiori was never scared, it looked like he played 70 games for Italy,” 2006 World Cup winner Del Piero said, with former England boss Capello adding: “I didn’t think someone making his debut could show this much personality. No fear.”

How does Calafiori compare to Arsenal’s other centre-backs?

Calafiori joins a talented Arsenal centre-back pool boasting William Saliba, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber. However, he’s riding the crest of a wave right now and has already proven at multiple points in his career that he won’t bend to pressure or the bright lights.

It’s expected that Saliba will be the nailed-on starter, continuing to be the rock of Arteta’s defence, with Calafiori battling alongside Gabriel and Timber for the second starting spot. Given Timber spent the majority of 2023/24 sidelined through injury, Gabriel is likely to be Calafiori’s biggest rival.

Calafiori comes out on top in a number of per 90 metrics from the 2023/24 league season when compared to Gabriel, including tackles, interceptions, headed clearances, possessions won in all three thirds of the field and duels won. However, it’s important to note that Bologna were busier defensively than Arsenal, which will give the Italian centre-back a bump in numbers compared to his Brazilian counterpart.

But Arsenal are also signing Calafiori for his ability on the ball and he excels there, too. The 22-year-old completed 61.67 passes per 90 last season at an 89.85% success rate compared to 56.47 at 89.09% from Gabriel, while also outperforming his new teammate for long passes completed, touches of the ball and through balls completed.

None of this is to say Gabriel is a bad player. In fact, he’s been among the best centre-backs in the Premier League over the last couple of years. However, competition breeds success and Gabriel now has the ultimate rival for his position. The winner will take all and that can only be good news for Arsenal.