Stuart Pearce warns Arsenal fans about incoming new signing Riccardo Calafiori's weakness

07/26/2024 12:23 PM

Arsenal have been warned that while new man Riccardo Calafiori looks flash on the ball, there is a weakness in his game which might be a cause for concern.

talkSPORT understands the Gunners have reached an agreement in principle with Bologna to sign the 22-year-old defender, who is known for his versatility across the back line.

Calafiori is reportedly heading for London on Friday evening to complete his medical, and will then fly out to join the rest of his new Arsenal teammates on their pre-season tour of the United States.

The Italian is a youth product of Roma, signing his first contract in the summer of 2018.

After one season with Swiss side Basel, he then joined Bologna only last summer, where he was moved to a centre-back role by manager Thiago Motta and was transformed into one of the best players in the league Serie A.

Earlier this year he helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League for the first time in nearly 60 years and, after impressing at Euro 2024 in the Italy national team, Arsenal have moved quickly to bring him on board.

The north Londoners already have William Saliba and Gabriel as their centre-back pairing, who were both rock solid for Arsenal in their attempt to topple Man City last season.

But Calafiori is capable of playing at full-back too, with talkSPORT's Stuart Pearce drawing comparisons to another Gunners star.

“Ben White managed to be a centre-half who turned him into an attacking full-back and I think Calafiori is one of them,” the England legend said on the White and Jordan show.

“He's one of those defenders who is happy to advance with the ball, which he showed at the Euros well.

“I don't think he will have too much of a problem there.”

However, Pearce highlighted one area he thinks Calafiori may struggle with, despite his impressive record. 

“The only problem he might have is when you've got to defend those one-on-one situations out wide,” he added.

“How good is he at that? And that is the mark of a good full-back.”

If Arsenal manage to get the signing over the line, Calafiori could feature as soon as Sunday when the Gunners take on Man United in a pre-season friendly.

The Italian would be Arsenal’s first new senior team signing of the summer transfer window, but their second official deal after activating the £27million clause to turn David Raya’s loan from Brentford into a permanent transfer.

The north London club have also brought in two new goalkeepers, Lucas Nygaard from FC Nordsjaelland and Tommy Setford from Ajax, who have joined their academy ranks.