Riccardo Calafiori says playing against ‘top’ £20m Arsenal player is so difficult, he’s too good

Riccardo Calafiori joined Arsenal from Bologna in July.

The 22-year-old spent most of his professional career in Italy up until this summer, but his performances in the 2023/24 season made him a wanted man across Europe.

Calafiori was linked with a number of clubs, but Arsenal beat everyone else to his signature. He was viewed as a brilliant signing at the time and he hasn’t disappointed.

The Italian has become good friends with many players at Arsenal over the last few months. He has now had his say on the quality of one of them.

Riccardo Calafiori explains why it’s ‘not easy’ to face Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard

Arsenal signed Leandro Trossard for just £20 million in January 2023.

The Belgium international was actually not Mikel Arteta’s first-choice target. The Arsenal manager wanted to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk instead, but Chelsea won the race for his signature.

The Gunners then turned to Trossard, and every Arsenal fan will tell you that was a blessing in disguise. Mudryk has been a disaster at Chelsea, while Trossard has been incredible at the Emirates.

Calafiori is a fine defender and isn’t afraid to go up against anyone. But, he has admitted that defending against Trossard is ‘not easy’.

Ahead of Italy’s Nations League clash against Belgium, Calafiori was asked about facing Trossard.

The Arsenal number 33 replied, as per Football-Italia: “It will be fun, he is a top player and I will try to give advice to my teammates, because he’s not easy to face.

“He’s good in one-on-one situations and has a good shot.”

Trossard and Calafiori are set to face each other at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Thursday night.

Trossard’s stats at Arsenal prove he’s one of Mikel Arteta’s best-ever signings

Trossard has been one of Arsenal’s best bargain signings in years.

The Belgian isn’t just a reliable player to call upon, but he offers solutions in every position in attack. He is a wonderful footballer and has come up with the goods for Arteta on many occasions.

Trossard has played 77 games for Arsenal in all competitions but only 41 of those have come from the start. He has scored 20 goals and provided 13 assists so far.

That may not seem like a lot, but when you break it down, the numbers are truly phenomenal.

Trossard averages a goal or an assist every 114.5 minutes for Arsenal. In comparison, Bukayo Saka, who is the Gunners’ best attacker, averages one every 150.4 minutes.

Some Arsenal fans were upset when they had to go for Trossard after missing out on Mudryk. We’re sure all of them are now glad that happened.