'A great friend': Riccardo Calafiori says he's already become great mates with £21m Arsenal player

Today at 03:15 PM

Arsenal fans will have to wait until the end of next week before their team is back in competitive action.

The October international break has brought top-flight football to a halt, with plenty of Gunners players linking up with their respective national sides.

Arsenal fans will potentially be able to see two of their players facing off against one another as early as Thursday.

Gunners summer signing Riccardo Calafiori has linked up with Italy for their games against Belgium and Israel over the coming days.

Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard could line up against Calafiori’s Azzurri on Thursday, with Belgium then taking on France next week.

Calafiori has now delivered his verdict on Trossard when asked what he thought about potentially going up against his club teammate.

Riccardo Calafiori says Arsenal teammate Leandro Trossard is a ‘great friend’

Calafiori jokingly told reporters at a pre-match press conference, as per Foot Italia: "I told him to be careful!"

He continued: "Jokes aside, he's a very strong player and also a great friend, but I'll try to bring home the three points."

Calafiori acknowledged the challenge Belgium will present, saying: "It will be a complicated game.

“They have strong players, just as we do. I always like to think more about us; if we do what we know how to do, we can put anyone in difficulty."

The Arsenal defender concluded by highlighting Italy’s recent performances, saying: "We've done very well in the last two games, and we can't stop now."

READ MORE:Darren Bent says Arsenal have a player in their ranks who's become 'nasty'

How have Calafiori and Trossard fared this season?

Calafiori has been solid since his summer move from Bologna, making eight Arsenal appearances, of which five have been starts.

The £42million man has scored once in red and white, in the 2-2 draw with Premier League title rivals Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Trossard has made nine appearances for Arsenal, of which five have been starts, and he has two goals and one assist to his name.

The £21million man scored against Aston Villa and Leicester City, and grabbed an assist against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.