For all the frustration surrounding Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card at Wolves, there was something incredibly satisfying about his replacement, Riccardo Calafiori, netting the winning goal.
And what a strike it was. With a swipe of his left foot, the Italian produced a perfect daisycutter half-volley that zipped across the grass, clipped the post and nestled in the back of the net.
His celebration wasn’t bad either. A point to the cannon on his chest, an embrace from William Saliba and a bundle with the backroom staff made for a fitting reaction on an afternoon when Arsenal had to overcome the odds to gain an advantage.
“I was pretty emotional and it meant a lot for me, but also for the team,” reflected Calafiori on Tuesday.
“I was so happy to give the team and to give us the victory, the three points, and it’s a huge win, so I’m so happy.
“I just try to give my best in every game and if I keep on going like this, I think it’s even better because this means that I’m so important for the team.
“I’m just trying to play and to score even more goals to help the team with my kind of play.”
Having opened his Gunners account with a stunning strike at Manchester City, Calafiori is developing a reputation for aesthetically pleasing goals. But where did that technique and prowess come from?
“To be honest, even in training I’m not so good, but then when it comes to the game, it’s different,” he joked.
“It’s just, I don’t know, the ball goes in the net.
“When I was a kid, I think like everyone, I was a striker and I liked to score many goals.
“Then as soon as I arrived to my first professional team, I started to play more in the back, but I think I haven’t lost this feeling with the goal, I hope.”
Had everything gone to plan for Calafiori since his arrival from Bologna, he’d probably be ensconced as the club’s first-choice left-back. Instead, a series of small injuries and the rise of Lewis-Skelly have seen him spend more time on the touchline and bench than he might have wanted. His aim as the season’s climax comes into view, is to build some momentum.
“Of course, I would have liked to play every game, to be fit for all the games,” said Calafiori.
“But to be honest, most of the injuries that I had, I couldn’t control because it was like a hit on the knee, so I had just to keep on going and I hope and I think that I’ll be fit until the end of the season to help the team.
“It [left-back] was my position throughout my career. Only last season I played as a centre-back, but I still can do this position. And also the way we play with the left-back, with the right-back at Arsenal is completely different, I would say, from the classic position.
“So I think it’s really good for my skills, for my qualities. And as I said before, I want to stay fit for the team.
“I think in this new era of football, the key is to be open and to be able to play in different positions.”
Absolutely off the charts handsome. It’s devastating it’s unbelievable. Handsomest player to play for Arsenal I’d say. Sorry Bobby P there’s a new sheriff in town. Even Giroud doesn’t really compete, that tall strong handsome chiselled look is dime a dozen compared to Calafiori who looks like a Balenciaga model.
These Italians! Nesta, Maldini, Cannavaro, Pirlo, Buffon, Toni. How do they keep doing it
(Tomiyasu is also a very handsome man, we are doing well in handsomeness FC stakes atm I feel)
I’m hoping blogs finds the time to put together an all-time handsome Arsenal XI during the next interlull.
Im gonna give this a go (may not be a completely balanced team!):
GK: Matthew Ryan Macey
LB: Califiori
RB: Ben White
CB: Gabriel
CB: Saliba
MF: Odergaard
MF: Ramsey
MF: Xhaka
LF: Bobby Pires
RF: Thierry Henry
CF: Giroud
Subs bench:
Fabregas, Ljundberg and Petit
Freddie has to start over Xhaka, unbalances the team but he was a Calvin Klein underwear model so that trumps actual positional sensibilities. Shout out to Pablo Mari too, think he def deserves a spot on the bench, as does Arteta (although I think he’s got more handsome as he’s aged, so I think he pips Arsene to the manager’s spot)
Nice shout! I forgot about Mari and Arteta
I was in south east asia somewhere touring as a DJ, Might have been Taipei. Walked out of the club around 4am, I’m guessing 2003, and was confronted with a lit up billboard of Freddie in nothing but white CK boxers. Must have been 100ft tall. I wasn’t aware of his deal with them. I had myself sported a red hoxton fin the year before in support of him during an injury layoff. He was my favourite in many ways in that team. So this near naked effigy was a bit much.
Marouane Chamakh, Hleb and of course Arshavin.
Martin Keown?
Willy Young
lol
Vermalaen is quite good looking too
According to a report by The Sun last October, Declan Rice was named the most attractive player in the Premier League with an impressive score of 8.57. His ranking indicates that he scored highly for facial aesthetics, which are considered an essential factor in the AI’s analysis. Despite his looks, Rice has remained focused on his performances, consistently delivering solid displays in midfield for Arsenal. Arsenal’s Jorginho was ranked fourth, making him the second Arsenal player to feature in the top four. Jorginho, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Chelsea, is known for his style off the pitch and… Read more »
OK, based on feedback let’s try this again:
GK: Matthew Ryan Macey
LB: Califiori
RB: Ben White
CB: Mari
CB: Saliba
MF: Odergaard
MF: Ramsey
MF: Ljundberg
LF: Bobby Pires
RF: Thierry Henry
CF: Giroud
Manager: Arteta
Subs: Vermaelen, Xhaka, Fabregas, Petit, Rice, Jorginho, Gabriel, Szczęsny (we need a backup GK)
also add Tomiyasu to the subs bench
how on earth is mad Jens not in your starting 11, never mind the bench
It’s been a long time since we had someone SO “dishy” play for us and the fact that he scores goals as well – ooo
Ricky California he scores anywhere he goes
Danni California’s brother?
We handsome people always have this problem. We speak, but others are too preoccupied with how we look, and never focus on what we are actually saying. For shame!
I’m sorry, did you say something?
😀
this just a sad place for a bunch of guys to be talking about our most handsome team.
SMH 🙂
Quiet ugly 🤣🤣🤣 Sorry that was unnecessary. As a man that got tole he looks like Pascal Cygan I have no business commentating here haha
This is the first comment on this thread that does not relate to the attractiveness of past and present arsenal players. It’s number 24.
this guy seems to have a great attitude. He seems so thrilled whe he talks and obviously likes the coaches. Let’s not forget he is still young too – 22 I believe so he has growth as a player to look forward to( hopefully wide defending).
I’m convinced if he stays healthy he will end being a Gunner hero
What’s that got to do with being handsome?