“If he chose Arsenal over Man City, I’ll resign as a football coach…He’s the player we can’t afford to see him playing for them, they may become undefeatable with him”: Pep Guardiola angered by World-class player’s decision to join Arsenal as Man City increases bid to convince him from Arsenal transfer.

“If he chose Arsenal over Man City, I’ll resign as a football coach…He’s the player we can’t afford to see playing for them, they may become undefeatable with him”: Pep Guardiola expressed frustration over a world-class player’s decision to join Arsenal as Manchester City escalates their bid to deter the transfer.

Amidst the fervor of the European Championships, Arsenal is actively seeking new acquisitions during the open transfer window. Having narrowly missed the Premier League title to Manchester City last season, Arsenal is focused on strengthening their squad to bridge that gap.

Last season, Mikel Arteta’s team scored five fewer goals than Manchester City but boasted the best defensive record in the league. Current reports indicate that Arsenal, spearheaded by Edu Gaspar, is intent on bolstering their defense further. Riccardo Calafiori, a standout defender from the Euros currently with Bologna, is being considered as a potential long-term partner for William Saliba.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported Arsenal’s interest in Calafiori. Although the player prefers a move to Juventus, Bologna’s strained relations with Juventus could facilitate his transfer to a Premier League team. Following Italy’s recent exit from the Euros, Bologna anticipates increased interest from Premier League clubs. According to Football.london, a fee of £40 million could secure Calafiori. While this sum is significant, it could be justified by his impressive recent performances.

Calafiori’s proactive playing style would be a valuable addition to Arsenal, helping to control games and exert pressure on opponents. Statistics from FBref highlight his remarkable contributions: he ranks in the top 1% of center-backs for assists, top 3% for shot-creating actions, top 4% for interceptions, and top 8% for successful take-ons, all per 90 minutes.

In summary, securing Calafiori would represent a strategic investment for Arsenal, potentially enhancing their defensive prowess and overall performance, crucial for their ambitions in the upcoming season.