Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has revealed why he was so keen to join Arsenal in the summer.
The Italian joined the Gunners from Bologna in a deal worth around £42million in July. Although the 22-year-old has suffered from a few injuries in his debut season in north London, he has impressed when he has been on the pitch.
Operating at mostly left-back but sometimes at centre-back, Calafiori has made 16 appearances so far and even scored the winner against Manchester City in September. Nearly six months after moving to Emirates Stadium, the defender has revealed Mikel Arteta was a major reason why he wanted to join the Gunners.
“I think the details, in everything. It’s something I’ve never seen before in a coach,” Calafiori told Arsenal’s official website. “Nothing is casual with him, we do everything on the training and mentally he’s strong.
“I was really excited because he showed me his idea and the project that he had for me and I couldn’t wait anymore to play for him because I think it was the right option to develop and to improve, to become a top player. That’s why I’m here and I want to keep going.”
It could have been so different for the defender, however. When he was just 16 years old he tore every ligament in his left knee, as well as the meniscus and the articular capsule, while playing for Roma’s academy. Doctors told the defender he may not play again but, instead, Calafiori used this as motivation to make it as a professional.
