One of the many reasons why Riccardo Calafiori would have appealed to Arsenal in the first place is due to his versatility.
The former Bologna defender, who is a natural centre-back can also play as a left-back — a position where Mikel Arteta has played him on several instances.
Riccardo Calafiori has even take up centre-forward areas, such as in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest. Calafiori idolised Thierry Henry growing up and he would have enjoyed the experience.
The fact that the Italian international was trusted to occupy such an advanced position goes to show how much Mikel Arteta already trusts him.
Ian Wright highlighted Calafiori as a tactical weapon who allows Arteta to deploy him in a variety of areas across the pitch.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta shares what has really surprised him about Riccardo Calafiori in Arsenal training
Riccardo Calafiori says he wants to play in midfield for Arsenal
Calafiori is a player who fits the modern game to a tee.
Mikel Arteta would perhaps agree as the 22-year-old gives him the luxury of deploying him in multiple roles as he can tactically stun his opponents.
For such a young player to be able to perform in as many roles as he can makes him a perfect fit for today’s footballing landscape where games come thick and fast and it is enough enough to play in just a single position.
Calafiori’s ambitions to further adapt his game remain endless, telling the Rivista Undici magazine that he would love to play in midfield: “I think that there are many defenders with my characteristics out there, who are probably even better, but I do a lot of work off the field and perhaps that makes the difference.”
“There are many things I still don’t know how to do. I want to keep learning to play in as many different roles as possible. For now, I know two, but have always been passionate about midfielders and would love to learn how to play there.”
Riccardo Calafiori said he can play in another position as well
Calafiori certainly looks like he has all the attributes to play in midfield.
The ex-Roma centre-back is technically gifted, tactically intelligent, an incisive passer and a tough tackler.
However, Calafiori even thinks he can play as a striker, telling TuttoMercatoWeb: “As I have always said and I repeat, I feel I can play in any role and obviously I would be ready to play it.”
“Then, honestly, we should talk more about the technical and tactical aspects, it wouldn’t be easy because I’ve never done it in my life.
Obviously, if you ask me I’ll do it, but I don’t know if it could really be an alternative. It’s one thing to already be there, as I always tell my teammates, and it’s another thing to get there on the run, which is a totally different thing. And I’m really good at that.”
