Rio Ferdinand predicts whether Riccardo Calafiori will be a good signing for Arsenal this season

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Rio Ferdinand believes Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival could help rectify a weakness in the Arsenal squad currently.

The defender arrived at the club from Serie A side Bologna for a fee believed to be in the region of £40m after impressing for Italy at Euro 2024.

No team conceded fewer Premier League goals than Arsenal‘s 29 last season and Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival is set to bolster a backline that is already regarded as the best in the country.

The Italian is capable of playing as a central defender and at left-back, making him a versatile squad option.

And Rio Ferdinand believes Calafiori’s arrival could make Arsenal a lot stronger on the left side of the pitch.

Rio Ferdinand on how Riccardo Calafiori would fit in at Arsenal

With William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes set to start at the heart of the defence, Ferdinand believes Calafiori is best suited to playing as a left-back for Arsenal

“The two centre-backs stay the same but I loved what I saw of him (Calafiori) in the left back area in the short space of time at Euro 2024 for Italy,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

Arsenal did have a bit of a right-sided bias last season with Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka on that flank.

The trio combined impressively, but Ferdinand feels Calafiori’s ability on the ball could do the Gunners a world of good on the other side.

He continued: “He played under Thiago Motta, who’s a new-age thinking coach. He knows how to play football and how the rotations and systems work. I see him occupying that left-back area and coming into midfield – he’s great at driving with the ball.

“The left side has been a weakness or the weaker part of the team and he could change that. That’ll be a huge benefit for Arsenal.”

Will Calafiori start for Arsenal against Wolves?

With Oleksandr Zinchenko starting four of Arsenal’s five pre-season games at left-back, it’s hard to see Calafiori displace the Ukrainian international for the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Wolves.

Saliba and Gabriel are shoo-ins at the heart of the backline as Ferdinand claimed, meaning the Italian will have to contend with a place on the bench at the start of the season.

Read More: Arsenal predicted XI vs Wolves as Mikel Arteta makes Riccardo Calafiori decision

Calafiori is undoubtedly a big talent and will get his fair share of game time this season as Arsenal aim to compete on all fronts.

Arteta spoke highly of Calafiori earlier this week, indicating that he’s liked what he’s seen of the Italian so far.

However, Arsenal are likely to give their newest recruit enough time to settle into his new surroundings as opposed to throwing him into the deep end.

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