Riccardo Calafiori’s rise at Arsenal has been one of the standout stories of the Premier League season — and now, the Italian media say his club influence is transforming Italy too.
The 22-year-old defender has become Mikel Arteta’s first-choice left-back, trusted to drift inside and advance upfield in a system that thrives on flexibility and control. That positional freedom, once a rare sight in Arteta’s structured setup, is exactly what Italian outlet Calciomercato highlighted after Calafiori’s strong performance against Estonia in World Cup qualifying.
“Well protected by Di Lorenzo and Bastoni, he always had the freedom to advance and build alongside Dimarco,” they wrote, awarding him a 7/10 rating and praising how he disrupted Estonia’s defensive shape.
For Italy, and for Calafiori himself, it was another sign that Arteta’s tactical influence travels far beyond North London.
From Tactical Chaos to Controlled Creativity
When Arsenal signed Calafiori in 2024, few predicted just how quickly he would adapt to Arteta’s complex tactical demands. Originally seen as a defensive cover option, he’s evolved into a key cog in the manager’s possession-based system — often drifting into midfield or even central attacking zones to create overloads.
That same trait was visible in Italy’s 2–0 victory over Estonia, where Calafiori played as a left centre-back in a back three. The setup allowed him to roam freely, step into midfield, and link with Federico Dimarco, while still offering defensive cover through Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alessandro Bastoni.
Italian media have noted how rare it is to see such bold positional play from a defender in the Azzurri shirt. Calciomercato wrote that his movement “added unpredictability” — something Italy have often lacked since their Euro 2020 triumph.
“Well protected by Di Lorenzo and Bastoni, he always had the freedom to advance and build alongside Dimarco.” — Calciomercato
Arsenal’s Influence on Calafiori’s Evolution
Under Mikel Arteta, Calafiori has thrived on responsibility and structure — but with a creative twist. His ability to drift into half-spaces, create triangles with midfielders, and even launch attacks from deep has become a hallmark of Arsenal’s left flank.
It’s a tactical gift that few defenders possess, and Arteta’s trust has unlocked it fully. That freedom has made Calafiori more confident and aggressive in his decisions, turning him from a dependable defender into a playmaking presence.
It’s also given Italy something new — a defender capable of dictating tempo from deep while still carrying the ball forward. The balance between structure and adventure, something Arteta instilled in him, now defines his international displays.
| Stat (2025/26) | Riccardo Calafiori |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 9 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 91% |
source: sofascore match data – 11 October 2025
Those stats show how influential Calafiori has been for Arsenal this season. He’s not just defending — he’s building play. That composure and vision are now central to Italy’s tactical evolution.
Analyst Verdict – Arteta’s Blueprint in Blue
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Calafiori is the perfect example of how Arteta’s methods can transform a player’s identity. “Calafiori’s freedom to roam isn’t chaos — it’s controlled movement designed to open passing lanes,” he explained. “You can clearly see Arsenal’s fingerprints all over his Italy performance.”
William added: “He’s grown from a positional defender into a total footballer. Italy have long needed that type of modern hybrid — someone who can defend one moment and build play the next. Arteta gave him that courage.”
Key Insights
- Riccardo Calafiori brings Arteta’s “freedom to roam” trait from Arsenal to Italy.
- Italian media praise his intelligent movement in 2–0 win vs Estonia.
- Calciomercato: “Always had the freedom to advance and build alongside Dimarco.”
- Arsenal’s tactical evolution shaping Italy’s new back-three dynamics.
- Calafiori now vital for Italy’s push toward World Cup qualification.
Italy’s Road Ahead
Despite victory over Estonia, Italy’s qualification path remains steep. They sit six points behind Norway with a game in hand, and goal difference — 26 to 7 — could be decisive. That means heavy wins are needed in the final fixtures to avoid a dreaded playoff route.
For Calafiori, though, the focus is simple: maintain form, stay fearless, and continue to evolve as one of Europe’s most modern defenders. With Arteta’s influence still guiding his every move, both Arsenal and Italy may have found their tactical gem.
👉 Has Mikel Arteta turned Riccardo Calafiori into Italy’s most complete modern defender — and could his “roaming” style reshape the Azzurri’s future?
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