Since returning from his latest knee complaint, Riccardo Calafiori has started both of Arsenal’s tricky away games at Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Mikel Arteta recently admitted that Calafiori has perhaps played more minutes than he had initially hoped since joining Arsenal, a 22-year-old with a history of serious injuries.
However, it seemed as if the Italian turned a corner at Bologna last season, an improved availability record that he’ll hope to continue at Arsenal.
Right now, Calafiori is being played slightly out of position as a left-back, a defender who has predominantly played in a central role before joining Arsenal.
But it seems as if Arteta is incredibly keen to utilise Calafiori’s presence and ball-playing ability out wide, even if it makes his start to life in N5 a little bit harder.
Riccardo Calafiori makes exciting claim about Ethan Nwaneri
That being said, Calafiori arrived at Arsenal just in time to enjoy the rise of both Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly to the first team, two brilliant Hale End Academy talents.
And following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday, Calafiori has now shared some words on Nwaneri’s talent in particular, making an exciting claim about his potential.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta keeps starting one Arsenal player in the wrong position and it cost them vs Brighton
The Italian was speaking to NBC Sports, predominantly being questioned Arsenal’s title chances and the penalty that William Saliba controversially conceded.
However, it was a question about Nwaneri that seemed to get Calafiori most animated, a young talent hitting levels he has ‘never seen’ before.
Calafiori said: “As I said before, I think I’ve never seen somebody so young to play like this level, but we don’t have to, not to speak about him, but just leave him because he’s so young and as I say, he can still improve a lot and is a top guy as well so I wish everything the best for him.”
Arsenal wait for Ethan Nwaneri injury update
Undoubtedly, Nwaneri’s performance was the real positive against Brighton, making his half-time exit even more frustrating.
Nwaneri picked up an injury, meaning he’s unlikely to feature in the immediate future for Arsenal.
Arsenal have sent their first January bid for a striker, someone who could help ease Arteta’s problems up top.
It’s a crucial period for the Gunners, and one that they are being forced to navigate without some of their most creative talents.
That being said, Arsenal fans have criticised Leandro Trossard in wake of his performance against his old club, a winger who needs to find some kind of consistency.
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