Former Italy centre-back Marco Materazzi believes that Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori could become ‘one of the world’s best’ under Mikel Arteta.
Calafiori joined the Gunners in a £42m deal from Bologna in July 2024, but endured an injury-affected first season in north London.
The Italian made just 19 Premier League appearances last season, but regular injuries meant Myles Lewis-Skelly was often preferred by Arteta at left-back.
However, after seemingly putting his injury struggles behind him, Calafiori has emerged as Arteta’s first-choice left-back and has started all five league games so far this season.
At just 23, Calafiori still has his peak years ahead of him and Materazzi believes his fellow countryman could go on to achieve great things for club and country if he continues to develop at his current rate.
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‘He’s one of the biggest defenders for the Italian national team,’ the former Inter Milan defender said of Calafiori to FUTBIN.
‘Last year he suffered a lot of injuries but now he’s fit. The Arsenal style is very good for him.
‘I think he can be one of the world’s best because we believe in him and Bastoni ahead of the World Cup.’
But despite Calafiori’s impressive performances, Materazzi believes that Arsenal will not be one of the two teams in the hunt for the title come the end of the season.
‘Chelsea or Liverpool will win the Premier League,’ he said.
‘Chelsea are the Club World Cup champions and they beat PSG in the final easily. No one expected that. Maresca is Italian and he has done a good job at Chelsea.
‘Liverpool probably will focus on the Champions League because last season they lost on penalties and found Donnarumma in incredible form.’
Calafiori is expected to start for the Gunners in Sunday’s clash with Newcastle United, as Arsenal look to continue their impressive defensive record and move to within two points of league leaders Liverpool.
Asked about his side’s impressive record at the back so far this season, Arteta said: ‘I know we want to have the best team in the Premier League and in relation to every phase, I think the contribution of every player is critical.
‘We start from our frontline and the amount of pressure and work that they put into any defensive line, any goalkeeper, is tremendous.
‘So it’s something collective, it’s a team sport and in anything that we do, everybody has a pivotal role in that.’
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