The last five players Arsenal signed from Serie A show why Riccardo Calafiori has reason to be worried

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Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, and the defender appears to be an exciting addition.

The 22-year-old looks set to join after a standout Euro 2024 campaign for Italy alongside Jorginho, despite their disappointing elimination in the round of 16.

Calafiori is following a familiar path from Bologna to Arsenal, as it is a path laid out by Takehiro Tomiyasu, who made the same switch in 2021.

However, Serie A players succeeding at Arsenal has seldom been seen in recent years. Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry all joined the club from the Italian top flight in the 1990s, but since then there has been little impact from signings directly from Italy.

Arguably only one of Arsenal’s last five signings from Serie A have succeeded at the club, and this should serve as a warning that Calafiori may take some time to adapt.

Arsenal’s last five signings from Italian clubs

Emiliano Viviano – Palermo to Arsenal, loan – 2013

Arsenal signed Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in a club-record deal on deadline day in September 2013, but he was not the only arrival of the day.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano joined on loan from relegated side Palermo, with the Italy International arriving in a surprise deal as a third-choice option after the departure of Vito Mannone.

Viviano appeared on the bench a few times, but did not make a single first-team appearance ahead of Wojciech Szczesny or Lukasz Fabianski, but did appear in an academy game against Bristol Rovers. Arsenal lost 5-0 and he never played again.

Verdict: failure.

Stephan Lichtsteiner, Juventus to Arsenal, free – 2018

One of Unai Emery’s first signings at Arsenal was to sign a backup right-back in Stephan Lichtsteiner. The then-Switzerland captain joined on a free transfer as a highly experienced professional, who had just departed Juventus after a trophy-laden spell.

The defender was clearly beyond his best when called upon, with little mobility to stop opposition attackers, and he lasted just one season. Although a fiery character, his time in North London was highly forgettable.

Verdict: failure.

Lucas Torreira, Sampdoria to Arsenal, £26m – 2018

Torreira was Emery’s most high-profile signing in his first window at the club, joining from Sampdoria for around £26m after a stellar campaign for Uruguay at the World Cup.

The midfielder was an instant hit at Arsenal, opening his account with an iconic goal against Tottenham Hotspur in a North London derby victory, but after a dip in form and confidence, he found himself on the fringes just two seasons in.

He eventually departed on a few loan spells before joining Galatasaray last year, whom he helped win the Turkish Super Lig title.

Verdict: failure.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Bologna to Arsenal, £16m, 2021

Tomiyasu joined Arsenal on deadline day in the summer of 2021, and instantly impressed as a player who could cover across the back line.

When fit, he has shown fantastic quality in several positions, and is one of the most intelligent players in the squad. However, there are big question marks over his fitness, with the defender injured again ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season tour to the USA.

Overall, Tomiyasu has been a positive addition to the squad despite his injury issues, but if his problems continue for another season then an uncomfortable decision may have to be made on him.

Verdict: success.

Jakub Kiwior, Spezia to Arsenal, £20m, 2023

Kiwior looks set to leave following the arrival of Calafiori, despite joining just a year and a half ago.

The defender joined Arsenal for £20m in January 2023, and has shown quality at times when stepping in at left-back. However, it is clear that his natural position is in the centre, and he appears keen on a return to Serie A.

Whilst signing and potentially selling Kiwior for a profit would be good business for Arsenal, the fact that he is getting replaced so soon shows that he failed to deliver what was expected of him, and failed to develop as well as hoped he would when he joined.

Verdict: failure.

Riccardo Calafiori will be Arsenal’s next signing from Serie A

Calafiori may look at both the lack of successful Italians at Arsenal in recent years, as well as the failure of some Serie A signings at the club, as a sign of worry.

However, he will hope to surpass all of these players in terms of impact, and he has the potential to do so. Financially, he will be Arsenal’s biggest Serie A purchase, and he is coming from a position of strength, having just helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League.

If Calafiori can stay fit and adapt to Arteta’s system, he will find that he outperforms all of the previous five players fairly easily.