Riccardo Calafiori has opened up about what he really thinks about Arsenal fans following his 2024 transfer.
The Italian arrived at the Emirates after wowing many at the Euros, signing from Bologna for a £42m fee.
Mikel Arteta had to convince Arsenal to sign Calafiori due to concerns about his injury record, but a strong start to the 2025/26 campaign is repaying the boss’s trust.
Having been in England for over a year now, Calafiori has shaped his idea of what it’s like to play Premier League football, from competition to opponents to those in the stands.
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Riccardo Calafiori outlines the difference between Arsenal fans and supporters in Italy
It’s not only a new country and a new language that the defender has had to adapt to, but also playing in front of a new set of fans week in week out.
Calafiori had played the majority of his career in Italy before making the move to Arsenal, and now, the 23-year-old has shared an insight into what’s different about fans of English clubs and those of Italian teams.
“In Italy, the fans sing non-stop from the first to the last minute, the atmosphere is special,” Calafiori told Versus in an interview.
“In England, it’s different, maybe they sing less, but the whole stadium is involved.”
The Arsenal defender revealed that, as a player, he notices the reaction of the crowd when a tackle is made or a goal is scored, which is different to how it is in Italy.
“When you score or make a big tackle, the energy hits you straight away. In Italy, it’s more about the ultras, but here it feels like the whole city is behind you.”
Calafiori shared his appreciation for how Arsenal fans support the club and those on the pitch, comparing his early experiences in N5 to his extensive time in his home country.
Calafiori lifts lid on ‘special’ Arsenal squad
Calafiori’s injury record proved to be an issue in his debut season at Arsenal, managing to record only 19 Premier League appearances and 11 starts.
This season has already started differently for the Italian, who has started all of Arsenal’s Premier League games so far, and it’s fair to say he’s loving life in North London.
“It’s special,” Calafiori told Versus about the Arsenal squad.
“Everyone’s a good guy, we’re friends, and I feel really comfortable here. Last season wasn’t easy, but I came back this summer with a fire inside me. I couldn’t wait to start again.
“Playing in the Premier League is the dream for so many players, so now I just want to enjoy it and show what I can do consistently.”
Calafiori’s talent has always been visible; his fitness was his only issue, with his task this season to play as much as possible to gain vital experience and cement his spot in the starting XI.
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