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Thiago Motta shares what new Arsenal signing Riccardo Calafiori is really like behind the scenes
Riccardo Calafiori’s former manager at Bologna, Thiago Motta, has now been lifting the lid on what kind of personality Arsenal can expect this summer.
Having concluded a deal for David Raya earlier this month, Mikel Arteta has finally welcomed his second signing of the summer.
Calafiori will offer Arteta several new opportunities at the back, able to play as a left-sided centre-back or as an inverted full-back.
The 22-year-old will certainly lift the level and potential of Arsenal’s back line, a similar profile to Jurrien Timber in a way.
Both are extremely versatile, even able to play as a number six if the situation demands.
And in all honesty, it’ll be interesting to see if Calafiori does end up disrupting Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba’s partnership, given the Brazilian’s place could still be up for grabs.
That being said, speaking via , Calafiori’s old boss Motta, who tried to take the defender with him to Juventus this summer, has been providing some interesting insight into the Italian as a person.
Thiago Motta says Arsenal signing Riccardo Calafiori truly believes in his ability
Fortunately for Arsenal, Motta pointed out that the Gunners were buying a player who never needs to be pushed, a defender who is more than capable of motivating himself.
Motta shared: “Riccardo can do anything because he’s got courage. He believes in himself.
“I remember when he joined he was a full-back or a centre-back in a back three. We tried to propose something a bit different. But in order to do it, the player needs to buy in.
“I have to hold him back and put the brakes on him every now and then.
“I don’t need to push him and that’s a beautiful thing. Holding someone back and telling them how to manage moments in games and what they need to do in order to orientate themselves better on the pitch is far easier than having to push a player.”
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Of course, given the deal is finally over the line, it’ll be interesting to see where Arteta plans to play Calafiori at Arsenal.
As stated, the Italian may threaten Gabriel’s minutes – healthy competition in Arteta’s eyes.
And perhaps Arsenal’s back line could look very different next term, now able to rest the likes of Ben White, who often looked fatigued over the previous season.