Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has high hopes for defender Riccardo Calafiori after an injury-hit debut season. If Arsenal are to get their hands on major silverware for the first time since their FA Cup success in 2020, then Arteta knows they will need all of their players available - and Calafiori is an important part of that. "It's a big season for him," said Arteta.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has high hopes for defender Riccardo Calafiori after an injury-hit debut season.
Calafiori, who arrived from Bologna last season, suffered multiple injuries that kept him sidelined for some of the Gunners biggest fixtures throughout the season.
If Arsenal are to get their hands on major silverware for the first time since their FA Cup success in 2020, then Arteta knows they will need all of their players available - and Calafiori is an important part of that.
"It's a big season for him," said Arteta. "He looks very, very excited. We know that one of the biggest things we have to achieve this season is availability.
"It's true that the main two injuries that he had were on international duty while he was playing with Italy. But these things can happen.
"Now we want a player that is consistently available, and performing at the level that he can do because he brings an energy and predictability to the team that we really are going to need.
"He was certainly missed for a big part of last season. Hopefully that second season with more understanding and a little bit more luck, we can see a great version of him."
Category: General Sports
