Good player. Wonder where he will play. I hope Arteta won't move Gabriel...

    Another 'only wanted Arsenal' signing. Feels like these guys tend to work out well for us. Really looking forward to seeing what he and Timber can bring to our ball progression next season.

    Great thread title 👏
    Very exciting signing. His English sounds great.

    However, that early promise came close to ending in just his second game for Roma’s under-19s. In October 2018, while playing in the UEFA Youth League against Viktoria Plzen, an innocuous collision saw the 16-year-old suffer a horrific injury where he tore every ligament in his left knee, as well as the meniscus and the articular capsule, putting his future in doubt.

    That is crazy, never knew he had such a huge injury. I really hope this isn't a signing we end up regretting after spending lengthy time on the treatment table each season.

      Good thing he got his hair sorted.

      • est likes this.

      Welcome Calafiori 🇮🇹 hope you lock up that left side defensively and unlock it offensively...no pressure 🙃

      He speaks really good English as well, guessing that is from his time at Basel? That will definitely help him integrate into the squad and country a lot quicker.

      Big Willie I hope we did a more thorough medical than the last signing from Bologna.

      Don't know much about him. Only seen him play in the Euros and as mentioned in that thread my mind wasn't really on the games so don't really remember him. Hope he brings another quality option in defence so that injuries to others matter less.

        I think he’ll play centreback in the long term - initially may play left back but I think that’s earmarked for JT

          lorddulaarsenal I think he’ll play centreback in the long term - initially may play left back but I think that’s earmarked for JT

          Maybe after we sell Saliba to Madrid.

              Tet did specifically mention Saliba playing every PL minute last season as part of the reasons he wanted to sign Calafiori. Still think he'll play mainly at LB mind

              Qwiss he was definitely threatening to but Mikel wanted to field 4 giants across the back so that’s how he incorporated Kiwior

                Dules must be Arteta's player guru. Trying to push out all my favourite players one by one.

                Watching some of the interviews, this guy is buzzing. He wants to be here and is ready to go. It's very exciting to see him so excited. Hope he's a homerun signing

                Excited to see this fella in action soon, our fans will be frothing if he does anything notable on the ball in preseason.

                  Burnwinter I’m just buzzing to see an end to this LB trouble.
                  Also great to see timber cutting his teeth at centre back. Gives us options to rest Saliba who played every minute in the league.

                      his numbers are pretty sick. loving the look of those interception, passing, dribbling and crossing stats

                      maybe if we also get merino to tuck in at LCM, the explosion in dynamism could offset rices basic passing game at 6. a calafiori + merino left channel will also rejuvenate martinelli, I'm sure of it.

                      if we can get our left side to be as dynamic as our right side, we're in business

                      Claudius I’m just buzzing to see an end to this LB trouble.

                      The bizarre four player fuckup that led to us conceding versus Bayern exemplifies what I hope we won't see after this.

                        This guy is a superb signing. Very happy with this. Always dream of having an Italian defender at Arsenal, not to mention such a chiselled one.

                        12 days later

                        Who was the last Arsenal signing who started their career on the bench in order to "acclimatize" them that actually ended up being good? I could be forgetting someone but the only people who started on the bench to "acclimatize" them recently that I can remember were Elneny, Xhaka and Pepe. In each case, the whole acclimatization thing ended up being really foreshadowing.

                          I think that's an oversimplification. He hasnt had much pre-season or training with the first team. Im sure he will not be on the bench for long.

                          It's good to ease him in if it means avoiding another Timber scenario.

                          I reckon Calafiori's profile's a slight risk, but probably an okay one. He's seemingly an excellent rather than "generational" talent who's never played in a league this fast and robust. Hope to see him for a half hour today.

                          goon Saliba, Raya?

                          Raya is actually a decent shout. I wouldn't count Saliba because he was bought as a prospect which I think is quite meaningfully different.

                            DiabyKungFu He's playing an entirely new position (inverted fullback) in a very intricate and established tactical setup, which for him represents a very different brand of football. You could see today he was trying to figure out where to be and where to pass the ball. No surprise it's taking him some transition time.

                              Pretty sure Henry started on the bench as well.

                              Edit: Yep, made his debut off the bench against Leicester.