Arsenal summer signing Riccardo Calafiori has already impressed his team-mates, with David Raya discussing the defender’s impact since making the switch this summer.
The Italian international is set to add another option to the backline for Mikel Arteta as he aims to get a Premier League title challenge over the line.
Arsenal paid out an initial £34million to sign Calafiori from Bologna, with add-ons potentially taking the deal up to roughly £42million.
It’s a large fee, but for the Gunners, it comes with a unique skillset that could rival Manchester City’s John Stones.
Calafiori is comfortable playing at both left-back and centre-back, with an ability to drive on the ball into midfield with relative ease.
That could help take Arteta’s build-up play to the next level, with the Arsenal boss always looking to innovate and hold different solutions to game situations.
With the 22-year-old now settling in at London Colney, he is certainly making an impression on his fellow Arsenal squad players.
David Raya discusses Riccardo Calafiori at Arsenal
So with Calafiori having been at Arsenal for a few weeks and with a Premier League debut on the horizon, what sort of impression has he left on his team-mates so far?
Well, Raya has had an up-close look at the defender in training and has noticed a few things that the Emirates Stadium faithful will love.
The goalkeeper told Sky Sports: “First of all, he’s a great guy. He’s young, only 22, and he’s hungry.
“In terms of football, he’s a great player who has a great future. He can play left-back, he can play left centre-back. So, the first impression has been very, very good.
“He is very, very strong, he goes for the tackles. He just goes for it.
“He would put his head in a washing machine if you know what I’m saying. But the main thing is that he’s a great guy as well as a great player.”
It’s the exact type of profile Arteta has been looking for in his players, those who are willing to go to extremes to win football matches.
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Will Riccardo Calafiori play for Arsenal against Wolves?
One of the main debates facing Arteta is the decision over whether to start Calafiori against Wolves in the opening game of the season.
While the defender has clear quality and joined for a big fee, there could be a period of settling into life in the Premier League.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has impressed in pre-season, while Jakub Kiwior’s reliability last season could see the pair stake a claim at left-back.
In the left centre-back role, Gabriel Magalhaes has been a stalwart for the Gunners and may be tough to oust from that role.
It remains to be seen whether Calafiori will be given the faith in starting against Wolves or not, but it’s a huge decision for the Arsenal boss to make.
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