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Mikel Arteta could play Riccardo Calafiori in a completely new position at Arsenal next season

Lucas Arnold

Tue 9 July 2024 8:35, UK

Arsenal fans will now hope that it’s only a matter of time until Riccardo Calafiori is announced as a new Mikel Arteta player.

The Bologna centre-back thrived at the Euros and it seems as if Arteta🥃 is increasingly close to sealing a deal for the Italian.

ꦯCalafiori’s Arsenal move could be announced by the end of Tuesday𒁏, which would mark the beginning of the club’s summer business.

ꦯEdu and his team are also thought to be working towards the addition of a new central midfielder for Arteta’s side.

A number six is desired to sit alongside Declan Rice🥂, but it seems as if no significant progress has been made in that regard.

💃That being said, have now shared a report providing more details on Arsenal’s move for Calafiori, and how Arteta intends to use the Bologna defender.

ꦕUnder Thiago Motta, who has now left for Juventus himself, Calafiori predominantly played as a left-sided centre-back in a back three.

ಞHowever, Arteta has a different plan for the Euros star, who will cost Arsenal around £42m.

Mikel Arteta wants to use Riccardo Calafiori as an inverted full-back at Arsenal

ꦰAccording to the report mentioned, Arteta is said to see Calafiori as a ‘key addition’ to his back line next season.

ꦛThe Italian has occasionally played as a left-back before, but rarely as an inverted option – and that’s how Arteta intends to use Calafiori.

READ MORE: 🐼£25m Arsenal target compared to Luis Suarez has now decided that he wants to leave Italy

Arteta sees Calafiori as an inverted full-back capable of slotting into midfield positions – the Oleksandr Zinchenko role if you will.

Moreover, the Italian will also be able to provide significant competition for Gabriel Magalhaes🗹 at left centre-back too, explaining why Arsenal are so keen.

The report also details that Calafiori’s arrival could hasten the departures of both Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior෴, given the Italian can cover the roles played by both.

And with Jurrien Timber🦹 back fit, Arsenal won’t struggle for numbers at the back, given the Dutchman can excel in every defensive position.

🅷It’s clear that Calafiori would really improve Arteta’s options, taking his project to the next step.

For too long the Arsenal𒅌 manager has had to choose between attacking flair or defensive robustness on the left, not having both qualities in any of his left-sided options whilst Timber was injured.

🔯And if Calafiori is signed, Arteta will have a defender who can do it all.