Riccardo Calafiori Arsenal debut: How £42m man can make a splash

After fighting off reported interest from Juventus, Chelsea, Bayern and Real Madrid among others, Riccardo Calafiori is finally an Arsenal player.

But when will the highly-rated Italian debut, and will he make an instant impact?

Calafiori Arsenal debut - the Italian has joined Arsenal's US tour
Calafiori has joined Arsenal's US tour – Photo by imago/David Rawcliffe

Gunners’ record vs Wolves bodes well for Calafiori Arsenal debut

Calafiori was a standout player in Thiago Motta’s stellar Bologna side last season, playing as a left-sided defender in a back three. The 22-year-old’s transfer fee could reach £42m if he triggers all add-ons.

The silky centre-back is expected to be involved in Arsenal’s remaining pre-season matches against Bayer Leverkusen and Olympique Lyonnais, but his competitive debut will likely come at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Gary O’Neil’s side started the transfer window fast, and have already done a lot of business, with new signings eager to impress their boss.

Arsenal have an excellent recent record against Wolves, winning their last seven meetings with the Old Gold. They have won eight of the last ten, only losing once. Arsenal have also conceded once in their last four against Wolves.

Calafiori impressed as a central defender at the Euros – Photo by imago/Daniela Porcelli

Where will Calafiori play for Arsenal?

Calafiori had an outstanding campaign on the left of a back three for Bologna last term. The former Roma and Basel man had the freest of roles however, and was allowed to roam into midfield or wide areas to make use of his prodigious skill with the ball.

The Italian international is reportedly expected to predominantly start as a left-back for Arsenal however, a position he had played all of his career until moving to Basel in 2022.

Calafiori will still make occasional appearances in the middle, however, to allow centre-back stalwart Gabriel to rest when needed.

In possession, Calafiori will have a similar licence to roam and combine with his new teammates, move into midfield or burst forward from left-back.

Calafiori can make an impact in the final third too – Photo by imago

Last season, Calafiori contributed the most combined goals and assists of any centre-back in Europe’s top five leagues, registering two goals and five assists, including a delightful dinked finish against Juventus. He’ll be eager to continue in that vein.

Calafiori could well be facing Wolves’ new flying Portuguese winger, Rodrigo Gomes, who will be eager to make a striking first impression on his own Premier League debut.

Calafiori Arsenal debut: How important is a quick start?

Arsenal and Arteta are eager to keep building and go one better than their consecutive second-placed finishes.

There is little room for error when chasing Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City goliath, and Arteta when asked in recent weeks what it would take to win the title, joked, “114 points”.

As such, despite Calafiori’s obvious talent, he will need to hit the ground running to avoid slipping behind Arsenal’s many left-back options. Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber and Jakob Kiwior will be watching very closely.