Mikel Arteta will be hoping Riccardo Calafiori can stay fit next season.
The Italian is one of the most unique full-backs in football, and when available, gives Arsenal so much added threat.
His quality is obvious. But persistent niggles and knocks limited him to 26 Premier League appearances last season, preventing him from ever building real momentum.
With Piero Hincapie competing for the same left-back berth, Calafiori needs a full, injury-free campaign to make the position his own.
Who is Arsenal’s best left-back: RICCARDO CALAFIORI or PIERO HINCAPIE?
Off the pitch, though, a development this week has handed him an unexpected setback, albeit nothing to do with Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola rejecting Italy would be so frustrating for Riccardo Calafiori
Remarkably, Italy have now failed to qualify for the last three World Cups. The federation’s response was suitably ambitious: get Pep Guardiola in as their next manager.
President Gabriele Gravina confirmed contact had taken place, with sporting directors Maldini and Leonardo firmly behind the idea.
But according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Guardiola has asked for €20million per year, double what the federation are prepared to pay.
That is now apparently ‘impossible’ for Italy to accept, and it may be because Guardiola would prefer a break after a decade at Manchester City.
Andrea Pirlo, Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte now lead the search.
For Calafiori, this is a bit of a blow, and not just because of how accomplished a winner Guardiola is.
Arteta’s mentor has spent his entire managerial career unlocking technically gifted, progressive full-back.
David Alaba, Joao Cancelo, Philipp Lahm, Nico O’Reilly. Players who carry the ball, think quickly and threaten in the final third. That is Calafiori to a tee.
Under Guardiola, with a specific system designed around those strengths, Calafiori’s international career could have really taken off.
It would also have done wonders for his confidence and development heading into a title-defending season at Arsenal.
Instead, Italy will appoint someone else. And Calafiori will have to find that extra level elsewhere.
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