Gennaro Gattuso says there’s a new position Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori can play in now

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Riccardo Calafiori has already shown off his versatility at Arsenal.

The Italy international was primarily brought in to play as a left-back, but he has filled in as a centre-half as well in the famous red and white.

Arsenal fans have even tipped Calafiori to play as a striker because of his runs through the middle – that’s how confident supporters are about his versatility.

Now, his international manager has backed him to play in another position.

Gennaro Gattuso says Riccardo Calafiori can play as a midfielder

Gennaro Gattuso knows a lot about playing in midfield.

The AC Milan legend was not only a terrific player himself, but he shared the pitch with elite midfielders like Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Kaka among others.

Now, Gattuso is the manager of the Italian national team, where he has been working with Riccardo Calafiori.

The Arsenal man has mostly played as a centre-back for the Azzurri, but his boss believes he has the ability to play anywhere.

One of those positions, Gattuso says, is central midfield.

He said in a press conference, as per Football Italia: “He’s not just a left-back, he plays in more than one role. He recognises the spaces and knows how to move.

“He’s a smart player; he can play anywhere. Left-back, centre-back, central midfielder. He can do anything.”

Arsenal’s three left-backs can all play in multiple positions

Calafiori is a maverick and a joy to watch every time he plays because of his ability to play in different positions.

The Italian is currently Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, but the two players under him in the pecking order both share one similarity – they are very versatile as well.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is naturally a midfielder and can play either as a number six or in a box-to-box role.

Summer signing Piero Hincapie is a bit like Calafiori as well and has played both at left-back and centre-half over the years for club and country.

It is no secret that Mikel Arteta loves versatile players, and in Calafiori, Hincapie and Lewis-Skelly, he has three incredible options on the left side of his pitch.