William Saliba speaks out on Arsenal’s new signing Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has expressed his excitement at the arrival of new signing Riccardo Calafiori, praising the Italian full-back’s talent and potential. Calafiori made his debut for the Gunners in the Emirates Cup final against Lyon, coming on as a substitute in the second half.

“Yeah, I’m so happy for him,” Saliba said. “I think it’s only the beginning, he’s a really good player, young as well. We’re so happy to have him with us and I hope he’ll have a really good season with us.”

Calafiori, Arsenal’s first signing of the 2024 summer transfer window, arrived from Bologna for a fee believed to be around €45 million. The 22-year-old is expected to add depth and competition to Arsenal’s backline.

The arrival of Calafiori coincided with a successful Emirates Cup campaign for Arsenal, who secured the trophy for the eighth time with a 2-0 victory over Lyon. Goals from Saliba and Gabriel, both from Declan Rice corners, were enough to secure the win.

As Arsenal prepare for the new Premier League season, the arrival of Calafiori provides further encouragement and excitement for the Gunners’ supporters. With Saliba’s endorsement and the club’s strong start to pre-season, fans are eagerly anticipating the Italian’s contribution to the team’s success.