Arsenal are so loaded with talent defensively that it’s easy to forget the players besides David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, and William Saliba who were the heroes of the Premier League title run last season.
But Arsenal have some more serious ballers in their ranks, and the one with the most upside is Italian international Riccardo Calafiori, who captured the attention of the world in 2023/24 under Thiago Motta when Bologna made a fairytale run to the Champions League – and then the following summer for Italy when he was the one positive of another national team disgrace.
Calafiori was among the many Arsenal players who looked incredible in the 2026/27 Premier League season opener against newly promoted side Coventry, showing a different level of class with his touches, turns, and work on the ball, in addition to the passing that made Arsenal sign him from Bologna in the first place.
As a hybrid left back and center back, Calafiori’s technical quality, ball progression, and intelligence are a different caliber, and there is a reason why fans compare him to the Italian legends in defense of the past.
This is the year the 24 year old can become the best in the world in his role, but the only thing he has to conquer is staying healthy. That is it. Since joining Arsenal, Calafiori, though he is now a champion, has been cursed, and he has been cursed because he has never been healthy.
If he can play even 30 Premier League starts this season, he will be known as the best at what he does. You can’t say anything otherwise when you actually turn on the television and watch him play this game.
Purveyor of footy since the 90s. Favor the Premier League and old school Serie A with a touch of Bundesliga. More than a touch. Professional writer for 20 years, covering every sport but now focused on the Premier League and world football. You won’t be able to guess my favorite team.