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Mikel Arteta thought £57m Man United player could have done Riccardo Calafiori’s job at Arsenal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta actually considered signing a current Manchester United player to fulfil Riccardo Calafiori’s role in the past.
Arteta looked delighted when presenting Calafiori to the Arsenal players and fans on Monday, a signing he’s craved all summer.
Erik ten Hag also secured his number one defensive target at Old Trafford this summer too, 18-year-old Leny Yoro.
Both centre-backs arrive in England needing a period of adaptation, but at the same time, both talents are ready to contribute immediately.
Right-footed Yoro is intended to complement Lisandro Martinez in the middle – who could even push out to left-back if Matthijs de Ligt is also signed.
Of course, that positional switch is also something that Calafiori would also be capable of in north London, an incredibly versatile option for Arteta to work with.
That being said, it’s now easy to understand why Calafiori may not be an Arsenal player today had Arteta got his wish back in 2022.
Riccardo Calafiori is Mikel Arteta’s long-term alternative to Lisandro Martinez
According to a report by , detailing why Arsenal need Calafiori, Arteta’s pursuit of Martinez from two summers ago has now come back to light.
Arsenal wanted Martinez, but the defender instead moved to United for a fee of around .
READ MORE: Arsenal youngster could suddenly have future at the Emirates after impressing in the USA
That meant the Gunners signed Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is now almost surplus to requirements with Jurrien Timber back fit and Calafiori on board.
The aforementioned report states that Arteta was looking for this exact sort of versatile profile back in 2022 when he held interest in Martinez, who was also seen as someone who could also play in midfield.
For years, it felt as if Arsenal have suffered for missing out on Martinez, an enviable talent from the Gunners’ perspective.
But with a deal for Calafiori now concluded, Arsenal can now end any jealousy towards Manchester United, who have enjoyed Martinez’s skill set for a long while now.
Of course, Arsenal’s work isn’t done there, and they will now be looking to find Declan Rice a midfield partner similar to Kobbie Mainoo – a combination that began to work well at the Euros.