Former Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori is determined to adapt to the new surroundings at Arsenal as quickly as possible. During his latest interview with BBC via TMW, the highly-rated Italy international revealed his ambition to ‘fully‘ embrace life in London.
“I want to fully experience this new adventure as if I were truly English,” Calafiori said. “Starting with the language: since childhood, I’ve always had a passion for learning languages, and I began with Netflix and song lyrics. I’m still learning, and I want to improve.”
Adjusting to English cuisine significantly differs from Italian, yet it is not challenging for Calafiori.
“The food in England? I expected worse, it’s not that bad. I’ve even tried fish and chips – once a month is doable, even if it’s not healthy,” he admitted.
Calafiori left Bologna in the summer to join Arsenal in a lucrative €50 million transfer following an outstanding 2023/24 season under Thiago Motta. The 22-year-old explained how a phone chat with Mikel Arteta convinced him to continue his career at the Emirates Stadium.
“First he texted me, then asked if he could call,” Calafiori stated. “He was very humble and approachable on the phone. He wanted to explain the situation and where I could improve. He tried to convince me, but in truth, I was already convinced. Not just because of Arsenal, but especially because of Mikel.“
After starting several games on the bench, Calafiori has become a regular starter at Arsenal. His only goal for the Gunners thus far came in a 2-2 derby draw against Manchester City in September.
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