Arsenal narrowly beat Newcastle United at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
After the visitors spurned a handful of clear-cut chances in the first half, the Gunners took the lead ten minutes into the second.
Declan Rice delightfully planted the ball beyond Nick Pope in the 55th minute, following neat work from Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal ultimately ran out 1-0 winners, with the victory all but guaranteeing Mikel Arteta’s men will finish in the Premier League’s top two this season.
Riccardo Calafiori shines at centre-back in Arsenal v Newcastle
David Raya was awarded the man of the match award for some of his first-half shot-stopping heroics, but another Arsenal star arguably emerged from the encounter against Newcastle with more credit.
Riccardo Calafiori was introduced for the injured William Saliba at half-time, and the Italian was extremely impressive at the heart of the Gunners’ defence.
This was Calafiori’s first outing at centre-back for Arsenal in the Premier League, and he looked at home in the position.
Signed largely to play at left-back, it’s perhaps gone under the radar that the 23-year-old spent most of his time at Bologna at centre-back.
Not tasked with dealing with tricky wingers isolated in space on the flanks, Calafiori was more assured defensively, dealing comfortably with the combative Callum Wilson and then William Osula.
In possession, he still had licence to roam forward into advanced areas, with Myles Lewis-Skelly often covering him, while his passing was crisp and progressive.
Arteta will be delighted that he may have found a centre-back option that he can rely on when Saliba or Gabriel Magalhaes are absent, with Calafiori’s 45-minute cameo very convincing.
Riccardo Calafiori’s statistics vs Newcastle
While Arsenal dominated much of the first half of the second period, meaning Calafiori wasn’t really tested defensively, he was astute at helping to retain and recycle possession.
Completing 91% of his passes, the defender was efficient with his use of the ball.
| Calafiori’s Statistics vs Newcastle | |
| Minutes Played | 45 |
| Ground Duels Won | 1/1 9100%) |
| Tackles | 1 |
| Accurate Passes | 20/22 (91%) |
| Touches | 23 |
| Recoviers | 5 |
However, as the second half progressed and Arsenal looked to hang on to their slender lead, the Magpies pinned the Gunners back into their own half, and Calafiori showed his worth defensively.
Making one tackle and five recoveries, he also won his only ground duel.
A solid display from a player who needs to kick on next season, with a clean bill of health likely to help him do so.
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