Riccardo Calafiori injury record assessed as Arsenal won over by world-class data metrics

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Arsenal look to be closing in on their first big transfer of the summer transfer window as they close in on a deal for a new defender.

Riccardo Calafiori looks to be the next major permanent arrival at the Emirates Stadium, but there are questions over what he will ultimately bring to the side despite an impressive Euro 2024 campaign.

Looking at his data and style of play it is important to analyse what he brings to the squad; his strengths and weaknesses.

But on the face of it, the transfer will be a huge boost to the team, who are in desperate need of backup on the left side of defence.

READ MORE: Arsenal receive warning about Riccardo Calafiori, time running out for outcome Arteta would ‘love’

What will Riccardo Calafiori bring to Arsenal?

Calafiori comes to Arsenal with lots of positives.

In the Serie A, he played under Thiago Motta at Bologna who played an aggressive attacking style. Calafiori and his front foot defending was integral to their style of play. 

What is especially attractive to Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal management is that Motta required a lot of footballing IQ from his players. The Bologna team played a unique, intricate style of play that will help him adapt to the needs of Arsenal.

They were the third most pressing team in Serie A last season and had the second-most 10+ passing sequences, which makes it easily transferable for the player at Arsenal.  

Individually Calafiori has aggressive defensive data, lots of passing quality and a large amount of creative actions.

Looking at his Shot Creating Actions per 90, the Italian defender ranks within the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s Top 5 leagues, his tackles and interceptions are in the top 8%, showing his quality in pressing, top 2% for ball recoveries and he is in the top 1% for assists per 90.

The player has the build of a centre-back, which makes him formidable physically, but much like Takehiro Tomiyasu he also has the speed and technical ability to play in the full-back position and help in attack. This is showcased by his monstrous 71.4% of aerial duels won, which is in the top 5% of Europe. 

He has also shown an adeptness to play in the inside wing-back role and come into the middle like Arteta has required from Oleksandr Zinchenko, the player he will likely be replacing. 

This is also vitally important for Arsenal as at times when the Ukraine star has been absent the team has lacked all-important progressive and creative ability on the left.

But, overall, the team has had issues in this left-back spot and it is a positive measure to give depth to the position.

What are the injury concerns surrounding Riccardo Calafiori?

The injury of the player does offer significant concern. Early into his playing career, he had a significant ligament injury that ruled him out for 290 days and 75 games. 

Since this, he has rarely had a season without some significant time out – apart from the recent 2023/24 campaign which saw him have a fairly settled time with only two games missed. 

This does raise concerns about him, especially as at Arsenal he will be under a lot more physical tests than in the Serie A and Bologna.

The Gunners will have one of the most gruelling schedules and also the physical demands of the Premier League are the highest in world football. For someone who has had significant issues, especially recurrent hamstring problems, these could become an issue to his availability.

But the fact that Arsenal are signing him on top of retaining squad depth of players like Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber, Zinchenko and Tomiyasu means he can have his load managed carefully. 

Arsenal had one of the best injury records last season and these risks will have been carefully weighed up.

Riccardo Calafiori’s data outweigh injury risk for Arsenal

Although there are some risks due to his injuries, Arsenal have rarely missed on recent transfers and the medical team will have weighed up costs vs rewards for signing the player.

In terms of style, he is a fantastic fit and will add quality to the team as they push to be in the title race again this season, but go one better and win it this time around.