Riccardo Calafiori reveals Mikel Arteta instruction behind attacking Arsenal role

Riccardo Calafiori has revealed how a conversation with Mikel Arteta encouraged him to embrace his attacking instincts at Arsenal, with the defender saying he performs better when given freedom to move forward.

The 24-year-old discussed his role after scoring his first senior international goal as Italy beat Turkiye 3-1 in the Nations League on Monday.

Speaking to Rai, with his comments relayed by Tuttomercatoweb, Calafiori explained that his tactical development began under Thiago Motta at Bologna before Arteta gave him similar freedom at Arsenal.

Calafiori's ability to move away from a conventional defensive position and contribute further forward has become an important part of his game.

He credits Motta with initially giving him that licence at Bologna.

“Let’s say it all started with Thiago Motta at Bologna, who left me very free as a central defender, and I felt great that season,” Calafiori said.

His role initially changed after moving to Arsenal, but a conversation with Arteta helped establish how the defender could use those instincts within the Spaniard's system.

“When I first arrived at Arsenal, it wasn’t exactly like that at first, but I spoke to the manager, and he himself told me that if I have this instinct to attack the spaces, I have to do it, because it comes naturally to me.”

Calafiori stressed that those movements still require tactical judgement and correct timing, adding: “When they leave me free, I can express myself much better.”

His goal against Turkiye provided a timely example of the attacking contribution he believes he can make.

It was Calafiori's first goal for Italy and arrived with the Nations League match level at 1-1 before the Azzurri went on to secure a 3-1 victory.

The Arsenal defender believes his goalscoring numbers could have been considerably better last season.

“Last year, for example, I was unlucky and could have finished with at least five or six goals,” he said.

Calafiori is not judging his performances solely by goals, however. He believes remaining physically available is particularly important because of the variety of ways in which he can influence matches.

“This year the season started quite well, but obviously, beyond the numbers, I’m interested in the contribution I make to the team,” he said. “I try to stay physically fit. In the end, that’s what matters, because when I’m well, I can help in so many ways.”

Calafiori made 26 appearances last season as Arsenal won the league, according to the supplied report, with his ability to move into midfield becoming an important feature of Arteta's tactical approach.

His latest comments provide further insight into those movements. Rather than simply being spontaneous attacking runs, Calafiori has Arteta's permission to exploit space when he judges the moment to be right.

Maintaining his fitness would therefore give Arsenal both a defensive option and a player capable of changing the team's shape during possession.

Calafiori will return to Arsenal with another productive international performance behind him. His comments make clear that maintaining fitness is his priority, while his first Italy goal also underlines the attacking threat Arteta is encouraging him to exploit when the right spaces appear.