The rave of the moment across the internet is undoubtedly Riccardo Calafiori following the completion of his deal from Bologna to Arsenal.
The Italian defender joined up with his new team members yesterday, Monday at their Philadelphia training ground in the US for a deal worth an initial £42 million that could rise to £50 million in performance add-ons.
I watched one his interviews where he mentioned that although he was relieved that it's finally done after the long wait, his mind was already made a long time ago and it was only a matter of time. I loved how confident he sounded. His body language showed he was ready to hit the pitch.
Arteta also confirmed this in his Liverpool pre-match conference that the player already told him a long time ago that his bags were already packed and was just waiting for the call.
For a manager, club or fans, nothing endear you more to a player than knowing he's solely invested in your team despite other interests. As Calafiori said, other teams were also interested but all those didn't matter as his mind was already made.
Many thought he'd prefer to join his former boss now at Juventus, Thiago Motta who rediscovered him last season at Bologna, but it was not to be as he loved the Arsenal project and he described it as the "best project to help him grow and develop".
With Calafiori, we get a versatile, technical and ball-playing left-sided footballer who can is excellently physical. He can also play in a defensive midfield role. Although he started out at left-back he gained prominence as a centre back for Bologna and Italy.
I'd actually love to see him play at centre back, but that would mean breaking a solid partnership of Saliba and Gabriel, which I doubt Arteta would be readily willing to do. The number of games we'd have to play this season, however, especially with the new Champions League format, may give the Arsenal manager leeway to rotate his team.
He was quick to retort that he doesn't mind where he's been played as long as he's able to play and help the team.
I'm sure Italy is sad to see him leave, but they'd be happy with his progress. I can't wait to see him in action.
I shared a video with you in my other reply and based upon that, the chances are is he'll slot in at Left Back. I'm looking forward to seeing what he's got to offer.
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Yes, seen the video. Thanks for sharing.
I think the fact that he's excelled at left back too puts my mind at rest. I'm tired of seeing Zinchenko holes in that backline and Kiwior isn't helping. Tomiyasu, maybe if he stays fit.
Big twist though.. Could Arteta be looking to play a diamond formation with three CBs?
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I can't see that happening - I think they'd lose far too much in attack. Saka and the likes of Martinelli need to start wide - and whilst Saka could do a job as a Wing Back, Martinelli / Trossard certainily couldn't. Then there's the question of who would fill the dual number 8's (assuming Rice is the holding Midfielder). Odegaard would presumably be in the 10 and I can't see any of the existing midfield being good enough to get up and down the pitch as well as covering the wide areas.
I just can't see that happening.
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Well, it well can.
The RWB doesn't have to be an attacker. Ben White has excelled on that side and I believe he can do a great job, if required. That'd make it a five-man defence against transitions.
For the midfield, Merino is more or less a done deal, so, he is an option there too.
Very unlikely though, but not impossible.
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