Arsenal have secured a 1-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Gunners have found it difficult against Marco Silva’s men over the years, and it was no different on Saturday. The Cottagers were very well organised, and Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to break them down for large parts of the first half.
The only Arsenal player who looked comfortable before the break was Riccardo Calafiori, who was once again given the licence to roam.
The Italian managed to score a lovely goal, but it was ruled out for offside. He then had two more shots and came the closest to scoring in the first half.
Arsenal fans are in awe of Calafiori’s display in attack, so much so that they want Arteta to make him their new striker.
Arsenal fans want Riccardo Calafiori to become their new striker after Fulham clash
Calafiori starts most games for Arsenal as a left-back, but he is handed more freedom than most attackers.
In the first half, the former Bologna man found himself in a striker’s position and pulled off an impressive finish. It was a shame to see the goal ruled out, but Arsenal fans loved what they saw and are hoping that the Italian gets a chance as a number nine at some point.
One Arsenal fan tweeted: “I think Calafiori can easily play as a striker. Might be the best ball striker in the squad.”
Another wrote: “Calafiori ain’t a LB. That’s a striker, man.”
“Calafiori as a striker ASAP,” said another.
Another Arsenal supporter posted: “Is it too late to make Calafiori a striker?”
“Calafiori is a #9. We’re being robbed of a generational striker,” tweeted another.
What Riccardo Calafiori has said about playing as a striker at Arsenal
This isn’t the first time Arsenal fans have wanted to see Calafiori as a striker.
In the final months of last season, when all of Arteta’s strikers were injured, the Arsenal manager had to think outside the box.
He went with Mikel Merino in the end, and that worked well. But Calafiori put his name in the hat by claiming that he would be ready to play up front.
After a striker’s goal against PSV in the Champions League, the Italian said: “As I have always said and I repeat, I feel I can play in any role and obviously I would be ready to play it (as a striker).
“Then, honestly, we should talk more about the technical and tactical aspects, it wouldn’t be easy because I’ve never done it in my life. Obviously, if you ask me, I’ll do it, but I don’t know if it could really be an alternative.
“It’s one thing to already be there, as I always tell my teammates, and it’s another thing to get there on the run, which is a totally different thing. And I’m really good at that.”
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