Incoming Arsenal signing Riccardo Calafiori might have some explaining to do when he arrives in London.
The Italian starlet, who is set to join the Gunners following a £38 million ($48.8 million) agreement with Bologna, had previously expressed admiration for other London clubs. The 22-year-old will be the first outfield player to join Arsenal this summer, following the permanent signings of goalkeepers David Raya, Lucas Nygard, and Tommy Setford.
While his new teammates have already jetted off for the pre-season tour of the United States, Calafiori will join them shortly. However, during an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio on Twitch in 2022, the then-Basel player revealed his preferred Premier League clubs were West Ham or Chelsea – not Arsenal.
“I have two images in my mind,” Calafiori said during the interview. One was “going back to Italy,” which he later realised by joining Bologna. His second dream was “to play in the Premier League,” which he is about to fulfil by joining Arsenal. But he didn’t stop there, adding: “I really like West Ham or Chelsea.”
November could prove to be a tricky period for the defender. Arsenal’s schedule has them heading to Stamford Bridge for the last game before the international break, and then its off to West Ham’s London Stadium before the month concludes.
But there’s no need to worry. In that very same chat, Calafiori made it clear how he’d handle playing against his childhood team, Roma, when he returns to Italy. He added: “I’m a fan, but I separate the two things. This is my job, and I’m a professional”.
True to his word, Calafiori was instrumental last season, helping Bologna secure victories in both fixtures against Roma, even providing an assist for the opening goal at the Stadio Olimpico.
