Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Arsenal’s match winner against Manchester United following the season opener, describing the player as having a special presence.
The Gunners began their Premier League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. Riccardo Calafiori and David Raya were hugely impactful in the game. Raya earned the Player of the Match award with a string of crucial saves, while Calafiori scored the decisive first-half goal.
After a summer of heavy spending, Arteta handed competitive debuts to Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres.
Arteta On Calafiori’s Aura
Speaking after the game, Arteta was quizzed on the Italian’s performance and heaped praise on the 23-year-old. He said, via Arsenal Media: “He has the capacity to change the energy. He comes in this room and he changes the energy in the room, he changes the energy in the team. He has an aura, he has a presence that is special.
“And then he’s a player that is very unpredictable for the opponent because he can occupy very different spaces, he can do things in and around your box, in the middle, in the opposition box, that is very difficult to predict. So, very happy with him.”
Calafiori’s Importance Going Forward
The Italian defender recently returned from an injury sustained during the pre-season tour of Asia, with his performance against Athletic Club already sparking debate over who should start the season at left-back. His strong display against United has only reinforced his value.
There has never been much doubt over Calafiori’s quality since arriving at the Emirates, but questions linger over his ability to stay fit. Arsenal lacked a profile like his at times last season, with his positional awareness and ability to join attacks giving Arteta a unique option.
The onus will now be on the 23-year-old to remain available for long stretches of the campaign. If he can stay fit, there is every chance supporters will see the best version of the Italian to date.
What did you think of the game? Who stood out for you?
Benjamin Kenneth
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I rate calafiori high too, I pray he stays fit
Yes he played well but a few times was caught out of position when long balls were pinged up to Mbuemo on their right wing. In my opinion our best left and right back is Jurian Timber, he’s head and shoulders over Calafiori, Skelly and White.
Agree GB. That was very scary on more than one occasion. I believe we were very lucky that Mbeumo was not up to his usual standards like most of the players on both sides.
I don’t know of anyone who has ever doubted Calafiori’s quality. Not unless one is blinded to such views by focusing purely on what players deliver, and not the applauds they get.
To me, Calafiori is a refined version of our former French MF now at Marseille, with addituonal skill.
Calafiori played well overall, but he picked up a totally unnecessary yellow card. If he’s going to pull a player’s shirt, don’t do it in front of the referee.
Three of Arsenal’s unwelcome tally of yellow cards yesterday were completely avoidable – one for shirt pulling and two for time wasting.
A good player but not a traditional left back. We were lucky yesterday not to concede from his position. Overall, the defense line saved the day.