Riccardo Calafiori names the one Premier League match that really convinced him to sign for Arsenal

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Arsenal beat off competition from several top clubs to sign Riccardo Calafiori, and the defender has now signed a long-term contract.

Calafiori was a standout performer for Italy at Euro 2024, and Mikel Arteta convinced him that the best place for him to continue his development is the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have now confirmed the signing of the defender, who is expected to play at left-back, and he will hope to take Arteta’s side one step further in the title race by winning the Premier League next season.

Despite Arsenal’s incredible form in 2024, winning 16 of their last 18 Premier League games, they fell just short of the title, but they still gained admirers for their incredible football, and Calafiori was there to witness the start of the run.

Riccardo Calafiori watched Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 5-0 in January

Arsenal had suffered back-to-back defeats against West Ham and Fulham before they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool, and the mood was low in January.

However, a big Arsenal victory against a struggling Crystal Palace side was the perfect medicine for Arteta’s side as they got back on track, and Calafiori was at the Emirates to watch the dominant victory.

“I came here in January and I watched Arsenal against Crystal Palace, and now I am here,” Calafiori stated after his arrival.

Arsenal’s 5-0 win vs Crystal Palace was transformative

In a quiet early kick-off at the Emirates, a number of changes were on display. Gabriel Martinelli was on the bench, and Declan Rice was taking corners.

A brace from centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes sent Arsenal into a lead through their brilliance on set-pieces, and David Raya came into his own as his distribution helped set Gabriel Jesus up to assist Leandro Trossard to score.

Martinelli then came off the bench and fired in an injury-time brace to give Arsenal a boost, and they had regained their mojo. This victory helped set them up for a huge winning run, and was the spark Arteta’s side needed to lift themselves out of their poor form.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s Premier League fixture list for the 2024/25 season in full

It clearly impressed Calafiori, who was adamant that Arsenal would be the only club he joined this summer, and perhaps the blueprint for a title-winning team was on full display.