Fabio Capello Proposes New Role for Arsenal Star, Compares to Chelsea Legend
Fabio Capello, the legendary coach from Italy, has expressed admiration for Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori. This praise follows Arsenal’s significant 3-1 victory against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, held at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s Dominant Performance Against Bayern Munich
On a thrilling night, Arsenal faced Bayern Munich, currently ranked first and second in the Champions League standings. The match featured:
- Jurrien Timber opened the scoring for Arsenal.
- Teenager Lennart Karl equalized for Bayern at the 68-minute mark.
- Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli were substituted in, sparking a turn in momentum.
- Noni Madueke scored, thanks to Calafiori’s assist, just one minute after he came off the bench.
- Martinelli added another goal eight minutes later, sealing the game for Arsenal.
Calafiori’s Journey to Arsenal
Calafiori joined the Gunners from Bologna in the summer of 2024 for a fee of £42 million. Despite facing challenges last season, including injuries and competition from Myles Lewis-Skelly, Calafiori is now Mikel Arteta’s preferred left-back. He is part of a solid Arsenal defense that has conceded only seven goals this season.
Capello’s Praise and Comparisons
During a Sky Italia interview, Capello highlighted Calafiori’s potential, likening him to Real Madrid and Spanish legend Sergio Ramos. He suggested that Calafiori could excel in a more advanced role, akin to Chelsea and France great Marcel Desailly.
Capello stated, “You’re like a young Sergio Ramos, only left-footed. I’d position you in front of the back four, similar to Marcel Desailly, but with better skills on the ball.” However, Calafiori replied modestly, “Maybe we should go slow with the comparisons.”
Arsenal’s Champions League Aspirations
The win against Bayern has placed Arsenal three points clear at the top of their Champions League group. Thierry Henry, an Arsenal legend, remarked on the team’s transformation this season, stating, “It’s not the same as before. Arsenal looks different as a unit.”
As Arsenal continues its Champions League campaign, expectations are high. With promising performances from players like Calafiori, the Gunners are becoming serious contenders for the title.
