Mikel Arteta addresses potential Arsenal debut for Riccardo Calafiori ahead of Liverpool clash

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·30 July 2024

Mikel Arteta addresses potential Arsenal debut for Riccardo Calafiori ahead of Liverpool clash

Italy international has signed five-year contract after £42m move from Bologna

Mikel Arteta will not rush Riccardo Calafiori into making his Arsenal debut when the Gunners face Liverpool this week.

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Calafiori completed his £42million move from Bologna to Arsenal on Monday and has signed a five-year contract.

The Italy defender has joined Arsenal on their US tour and trained on his own on Monday as he looks to get up to speed.

Calafiori is hoping to work with the rest of the squad on Tuesday and after that session Arsenal will decide if he plays a role in their friendly against Liverpool overnight on Wednesday.

“He had a long flight yesterday, and a medical over the past 24 hours,” said Mikel Arteta, who was speaking overnight in Philadelphia.

“Today he hasn’t really done anything with the team, and tomorrow he will probably train some parts. Let’s see how he is, we don’t want to rush anything. If he’s available and fit, great.

“You want to integrate the player within your culture, within your team and with your moral aspects as soon as possible and that requires a little bit of time, especially when you move from a different country.”

Calafiori has described his move to Arsenal as a “dream” and he was convinced to join after early meetings with Arteta and sporting director Edu.

The Gunners beat off competition from other clubs, including Juventus, to sign the 22-year-old and he has revealed how his Italy team-mate, Jorginho, also played a role in making sure he moved to Emirates Stadium.

“I think it’s the best project for me for the next few years, and I think I will improve as a player,” said Calafiori.

Calafiori has revealed how Italy teammate Jorginho helped convince him to join the Gunners

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“I spoke a lot with the coach and with Edu, and they convinced me, but I was already convinced by myself.

“I just met [Jorginho] one month ago, but I can see that he’s a really good guy. I was already convinced but he forced me.

“He said: ‘Come, come, come! You will enjoy being here, the team is amazing and the staff, everything is good’. You can see that already from the first few minutes here.”