Mikel Arteta has opened up about Arsenal’s signing of Riccardo Calafiori and has stated what the Italian can offer to his squad.
Arsenal confirmed the signing of Riccardo Calafiori on Monday (July 29th) after the Gunners struck an agreement with Bologna for the signing of the Italian defender.
The Gunners have been frustrated in the transfer market but the signing of the Italian represents their first major deal of the window as the club hope to win the Premier League title under Mikel Arteta.
Calafiori will slot in seamlessly to the Arsenal back four with Takehiro Tomiyasu set to provide competition for the Italian defender.
- Arteta explains what appealed to him about Calafiori deal
Arteta has other priorities that he wants addressing with a new midfielder and a new striker understood to be under consideration.
One of these signings potentially on the cards is Mikel Merino with sources telling HITC that Arsenal are keen on the Real Sociedad midfielder, who shone at Euro 2024.
As for Calafiori, Arsenal confirmed the deal was done and the Italian defender has already been videod talking to the squad ahead of beginning at the North London club.
Arteta, speaking to Arsenal’s official website, said of the signing: “We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal. He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence.