Former England manager Fabio Capello has proposed a bold new position for Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori, lavishing him with comparisons to legendary figures Sergio Ramos and Marcel Desailly.
Arsenal's Statement Champions League Victory
The praise followed Arsenal's impressive 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. In a crucial clash between the top two teams in their group, the Gunners delivered a commanding performance to solidify their European credentials.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta's side, but the game was levelled at 68 minutes by Bayern's teenage sensation, Lennart Karl. The momentum shifted when Arteta introduced Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli from the bench. The Italian defender made an immediate impact, providing an assist for Noni Madueke's goal just sixty seconds after entering the pitch. Fellow substitute Martinelli sealed the victory with a goal eight minutes later.
Capello's Glowing Comparison and Positional Suggestion
Analysing the match for Sky Italia, Italy legend Fabio Capello singled out Calafiori for special acclaim. He didn't hold back on the flattering comparisons, directly linking the 22-year-old to some of the game's greatest defenders.
'You're like a young Sergio Ramos, only left-footed,' Capello gushed. He then suggested a significant tactical shift for the player, adding, 'I'd put you in front of the back four, you'd be like Marcel Desailly, only with more quality on the ball.'
This suggests Capello sees Calafiori's future not at left-back, where he has become a fixture for Arsenal this season, but as a defensive midfielder, a role where Chelsea and France great Desailly excelled.
Responding to the lofty praise, a modest Calafiori replied, 'Maybe we should go slow with the comparisons...'
Calafiori's Rise at Arsenal
The Italian international joined Arsenal from Bologna in the summer of 2024 in a £42million deal. His first season in North London was hampered by injuries and the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly, limiting him to just 16 starts across all competitions.
This campaign, however, he has firmly established himself as Mikel Arteta's first-choice left-back. He is a key part of a formidable Arsenal defence that has conceded a mere seven goals this season.
Arsenal Tipped as Genuine Contenders
The victory sends Arsenal three points clear at the summit of their Champions League group, firmly establishing them as one of the favourites to win the entire competition.
Club legend Thierry Henry emphasised the palpable change at the Emirates, stating, 'There's something different this year... The way Arsenal look as a team, as a unit, is different. There's something that's happening.'
This sense of a transformed team, combined with individual performances like Calafiori's, is building a compelling case for Arsenal's chances of European glory.
