Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has questioned Arsenal’s decision to sign Riccardo Calafiori.
The Gunners have paid a total of €45m (£38m) to bring in the 22-year-old from Bologna but, speaking to Paddy Power, Saha said that manager Mikel Arteta already had an excellent defensive unit:
“Riccardo Calafiori played well at the Euros, but Italy didn’t have a great tournament. With William Saliba and Gabriel, I don’t see the need for Riccardo Calafiori.
“Of course they need cover but Arsenal had one of the best defences in the league last season and they were really strong.”
Arteta wanted to recruit Calafiori as a left-back
Saha seems to be suggesting that the Italian international was signed as cover for the centre of defence, but it is widely believed that Arsenal will play him as an inverted fullback.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior were both deployed on the left-hand side last season but neither have convinced Arteta that they are the long-term solution for the position.
Calafiori, on the other hand, is good with the ball at his feet and strong defensively, which means he would be an upgrade on the Gunners’ other left-back options.
Arsenal are planning to strengthen their options in midfield next
Following Calafiori’s arrival, it is believed that the Gunners will make a move to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.
There is fierce competition for the Spanish international, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also keen on the player, who has less than a year left on his contract.
However, some reports indicate that Merino favours a transfer to the Emirates. The 28-year-old has been targeted to strengthen squad depth in the middle of the pitch. A fee of around €30m (£25m) may be needed to secure his signature.
