If the transfer market worked like a dating app, Mikel Arteta would tick the criteria “big”, “technically demanding” and “adaptable” in his search criteria almost every time he signed up.
In addition to ability and multifunctionality, the Spaniard also cares about size.
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Look at Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Jakub Kiwior. All physically impressive additions for him who are great on the ball but don’t commit to a single role.
To play fluid football like this, you need players who can move seamlessly from one area to the next.
The “big ones” are also an essential part of Arteta’s trademark.
Those impressive Patrick Vieira-style tunnel stare-downs can intimidate opponents (which sometimes helps) and after scoring so many extra points thanks to his dominance of set pieces, it’s a tactic that’s sure to continue.
Caliafiori: The perfect fit
So when you think about it, Arsenal’s pursuit of Italian Riccardo Calafiori in the summer makes sense on almost every level.
It meets all of the above criteria and fits perfectly into the model currently being created at the Emirates Stadium.
The 22-year-old is an elegant central defender, blessed with size, speed, courage, a strong understanding of the game and fantastic quality on the ball.
It was great to see him step up for Luciano Spalletti’s side at Euro 2024, as was his progressive distribution.
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Arteta will, of course, have noticed this long before his first appearance in this competition.
Last season, Calafiori stormed forward for Bologna in Serie A, providing five assists in his last ten appearances.
Option for the left defender
What is crucial and certainly no coincidence is that the young player also performs well as a left-back; a position that is definitely vacant.
At first glance, Arsenal appear to have a strong left-back line-up; Timber, Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all viable options.
However, when you take things apart, the reality looks different.
Tomiyasu is more likely to be on the right, Tierney is unlikely to feature in Arteta’s plans and Kiwior and Zinchenko have both been linked with transfers.
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The Pole is likely to leave the club in order to get regular playing time, while the Ukrainian may be considered as an option for the left midfield, having lost some form and confidence in defence.
Once fit again Timber will likely start the 2024/25 season at left-back, and rightly so, but if Kiwior leaves and Zinny is not considered, the team will need a natural left-footer like Calafiori to fill that gap.
Dismantling the best central defender duo in the league is not up for debate, but as a replacement for William Saliba or Gabriel Maghalaes, it would be hard to find anyone better than the highly rated Italian.
Arsenal were lucky to keep both centre-backs fit throughout last season, but this time they may be less lucky. They need to be prepared.
Remember, Arteta also loves a back four with a quartet of centre-backs.
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Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis was pilloried for the same behaviour, but Arsenal’s defence doesn’t just play with the ball and the head. White and Calafiori are versatile footballers with the ability to build and create play smoothly.
They have the same technical ability as a small full-back, while also adding to Arsenal’s arsenal in attack and set-piece defence, so why not use them there?
Calafiori is a good age and has a lot of potential to develop, and he feels he is destined to play a key role in the Arsenal team in the future.
I really hope this move works out.
Would be nice to get Nico
I am also delighted that Arsenal are in the running to sign Nico Williams, a contender for Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament.
Just like Calafiori, the Spanish winger meets all the criteria of Arteta’s search engine.
We know the Arsenal manager can be ruthless when he believes a position can be upgraded, even if the current incumbents are doing a good job. Ask Aaron Ramsdale all about it.
So should Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus be a little worried about their place on the Gunners’ left-wing attack? Maybe.
Trossard’s deadly finishing and versatility will guarantee him many more opportunities, but after subpar seasons from Martinelli and Jesus, it will be interesting to see if Arteta decides to bring in a better player.
Williams’ numbers in LaLiga are certainly outstanding for a 21-year-old.
With eleven assists, he was a constant threat to the full-backs during his outstanding season for Athletic Bilbao.
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If Williams does indeed move to Arsenal and play on the left, he would also be a useful backup for Bukayo Saka on the other side.
The Spanish international is not worried about the prospect of a winger move.
With Arsenal facing many opponents next season who will try to keep them at bay with defensive tactics, the explosive and powerful Williams could be a great addition that will make a decisive difference in the game.
No time to stand still
Given the high demand, we shouldn’t be too quick to assume that Calafiori and Williams are done for, but these links show that times are changing in North London.
Arteta has not come this far to sit idly by and hope for the best.
OK, he doesn’t have a title to his name yet, but it’s a good time at N5 and he knows that Arsenal’s current attractiveness must be exploited in the transfer window.
Top players will definitely be interested and if he can close deals in the coming weeks to sign two of the most promising young stars at Euro 2024, it would be the perfect way to encourage others to follow him.