CALAFIORI: A LEAGUE-WINNING CALIBRE SIGNING

In the words of a certain headline-grabbing, secret-spoiling football journalist... Here we go!

And the adage feels so perfect for this moment.

The Euro’s are but a distant memory, the calendar is rolling on from a hapless July into a hopeful August, and Arteta-ball is so soon to return to the sun-kissed carpet. And this week, our dreams of what this season could hold for us have been lofted somehow even higher by the signing of 22-year-old Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, in a deal reportedly worth around £42 million.

Here’s here and he’s ours.

In addition to being a symbol of a fastening current of momentum on the back of the long Summer droughts without Arsenal content, this signing represents several significant steps forward for the club.

Firstly, if it needed to be reiterated, Calafiori’s signature is yet another reminder that Arsenal are comfortably seated back at Europe’s footballing high table. Despite rumoured interest from giants like Juventus and Real Madrid, and a last-minute botched hijacking from a certain West London Footballing Circus, Calafiori chose us above all suitors.

Edu and Arteta sold him the project and the process, and just like so many before him, he’s put pen to paper. Whilst this shouldn’t render us complacent, it is a hugely important indicator that our squad can continue to grow from strength to strength under this current regime.

The addition of Calafiori also creates fascinating and exciting prospects for our squad rotation options. Following an exquisite defensive performance last season, which saw us take the ‘lowest goals conceded’, ‘lowest xG against’ and ‘least on-target shots conceded’ crowns, the young Italian is an exceptional additional option at both left-back and centre-half.

Consequently, it really does feel like we currently have five or six versatile defensive options who, even when used in a handful of variable combinations, remain the best defence in the league.

That is a defining character of league winners, and it’s a far, far cry from those Lockdown days, isn’t it?

What’s more, Calafiori’s arrival (compounded by Timber’s return to full fitness) likely means that we no longer have to rely on Saliba and/or Gabriel being fit to play every single minute of the Premier League, Champions League and Domestic Cup Campaigns.On the note of aiding fellow teammates, the signing of Calafiori could be of huge importance in fostering Gabriel Martinelli’s return to his simmering best.

At times last season, our build-up play became predictably weighted down our right-hand-side, and Calafiori’s overlapping capacity might just help generate the space, time and opportunity that Martinelli needs to flourish, just as Bukayo Saka profits from Ben White’s tireless attacking play on the other side of the pitch.

But Calafiori is no one-trick pony either. His passing accuracy, ball carries and take-ons per ninety were amongst the very best in Serie A last season; his creative flare was perfectly exhibited in the link-up play, drive and perfectly-weighted assist that he delivered for Zaccagni’s curled last-minute equaliser against Croatia last month.

So, add Calafiori’s signing to the long list of reasons to be buzzing about the season ahead.

And whilst his addition cements our Invincible-level status at the top of the Handsomest-Team-in-the-League Table, his contribution to our squad strength takes us another step closer to winning the only league that counts.

As he put it himself, “From my point of view, it’s just the start, the beginning of something bigger. I’m excited to start to play for Arsenal and to win trophies.”

Get working on a few chants, would you?