Mikel Arteta now drops big hint on when Riccardo Calafiori will make his Arsenal debut

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Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori after a long transfer process, and he has joined the squad.

Arsenal have one game remaining in their pre-season tour in the USA as they are set to take on Liverpool in Philadelphia, and Calafiori will be available for selection in this game.

The 22-year-old has now trained with his teammates for the first time after confirming his arrival and choosing his favourite number 33 shirt, but he may now use the rest of the USA tour as a means of adapting to the squad, rather than playing.

Mikel Arteta has now explained why the Liverpool game may come too soon for his new signing to make his first appearance in red and white.

Mikel Arteta drops hint over Riccardo Calafiori Arsenal debut

Speaking in a press conference, Arteta revealed what Calafiori’s hectic first 48 hours as an Arsenal player looked like.

“On Wednesday? Good question. I don’t know,” Arteta replied when asked if Calafiori could play against Liverpool.

“He had a long flight yesterday, had a medical, so the last 48 hours they have been quite busy for him, today he hasn’t really done anything with the team, tomorrow he will probably train some part.

“So, let’s see how it is. We don’t want to rush anything. If he’s available and fit, great, he might play a few minutes. And if we think that he is still not ready, we are not going to push it.”

Riccardo Calafiori could make first Arsenal appearance in Emirates Cup

Even if he does not play against Liverpool, joining the squad on the USA tour will still be useful for Calafiori, as he gets to know his new teammates and adapts to training.

Once Arsenal return to England, they will face Bayer Leverkusen and Olympique Lyonnais in the Emirates Cup, and this is when Calafiori is most likely to appear for the first time.

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This will mean that the Arsenal fans at the Emirates will be able to give him a warm welcome at his new home ground, and he will have more time to train with his teammates and adjust to life in North London.

Calafiori will hope to settle quickly to grab a starting spot at left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu all competing with him for a place.