Ricardo Calafiori has been nothing short of sensational for Arsenal this season.
For a player who looked to have slipped down the pecking order, what a comeback he’s staged.
Signed in the summer of 2024 for £42 million following a standout campaign with Bologna and eye-catching displays for Italy at the European Championships, expectations were sky-high.
Initially seen as the answer to Arsenal’s left-back conundrum, Calafiori didn’t immediately live up to the billing. Injury after injury kept him sidelined for much of the 2024-25 season, spending more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.
To some, he looked like another expensive flop. The breakout form of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back only fuelled those doubts. Suddenly, questions swirled: why had Arsenal bothered with Calafiori at all?
Fast forward to the 2025-26 season, and after ten games, the Italian has emphatically justified the club’s investment. Arteta has made a bold call, installing him as first-choice left-back despite Lewis-Skelly’s strong claims, and Calafiori has repaid that faith in full.
A free role, a tactical shift
Thanks to his technical brilliance, Calafiori has earned a free role in Arteta’s system. He’s become the Spaniard’s secret weapon, roaming into central areas, driving through the middle, threading line-breaking passes, and, as seen when the Gunners beat West Ham 2-0, popping up at right central midfield to unleash screamers from the edge of the box.
This tactical freedom injects chaos into opposition setups, his greatest strength. It’s proving vital in dismantling low blocks and even mid blocks.
Calafiori’s form has been so compelling that Danny Murphy believes Lewis-Skelly may struggle for minutes. Speaking on talkSPORT, Murphy said: “Lewis-Skelly, who was arguably one of the best left-backs in the league last year, can’t get a kick, because Calafiori is playing like a man possessed.”
Fitness the final piece
Now injury-free, Calafiori looks primed to be a key figure in Arsenal’s title charge. He reads the game superbly, always appearing where he’s needed, whether as an extra man in a midfield pivot, an overlapping full-back, a right-sided eight, or even a roaming ten.
Arteta has released the handbrake, giving him the freedom to express himself, and that tactical switch could well define Arsenal’s season.
What do you think, Gooners, has Calafiori done enough to make the left-back spot his own this season?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Daniel O
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Calafiori has been outstanding. I just hope MLS doesn’t get impatient because Arsenal is still in every single Cup Competition there is in England. He needs to be ready to shine when the chance to play presents itself.
The struggle is with opposition teams, not teammates.
Yes I have noticed both Calafiori and Captain Odegaard has step up their game considerably, even the gaffer man management skills have improved dramatically.
There is just something about this campaign and the Arsenal juggernaut.
Califiori was Italy’s only stand out player at the previous European Championship, so I had high expectations that he could produce the same form playing with Arsenal. I’m not surprised he has started to find his groove this season. He is more of a central link man rather than an out and out left back and we all know his limitations regarding his lack of pace. However at the moment the team has been playing as a well organised unit so that Califiori’s weaknesses have rarely been exposed, although I do somewhat blame him for the City breakaway goal. It was Califiori’s erratic cross which lead to their counter attack. Everyone makes mistakes. Like many of our players though, we have reached a stage when if one of them goes down,we fans will hold our breathes; fingers crossed that it’s not a long term injury. Hopefully, Califiori will also have better luck with injuries this season and beyond.
So, Zinchenko, but better? Just don’t forget defensive duties
Brilliant player. There is something. of a muscateer in him… swashbuckling….. exciting.