Mikel Arteta has given his assessment of Riccardo Calafiori’s chances of making his Arsenal debut against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Riccardo Calafiori signing for Arsenal alongside Mikel Arteta (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Riccardo Calafiori signing for Arsenal alongside Mikel Arteta (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Arsenal confirmed the signing of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori on Monday, with the defender joining on a five-year deal and immediately joining training.

But having just returned from his holidays and on the back of a long-haul flight, Calafiori only played a limited role in training on Monday.

Arsenal play their final friendly of the pre-season tour of the United States on Wednesday night (Thursday at 00:30 BST UK time), facing Liverpool, and Mikel Arteta says he’ll be cautious with regards to the new signing’s inclusion.

ISERLOHN, GERMANY - JUNE 26: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy arrives at Hemberg-Stadion prior to the Italy training session on June 26, 2024 in Iserlohn, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)
ISERLOHN, GERMANY: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy arrives at Hemberg-Stadion prior to the Italy training session on June 26, 2024. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)

“On Wednesday? Good question, I don’t know,” Arteta said in response to a question about the friendly.

“He had a long flight yesterday, he had a medical, so the last 48 hours have been quite busy for him. Today (Monday), he hasn’t really done anything with the team, tomorrow (Tuesday) he will probably train some parts.

“So let’s see how it is. We don’t want to rush anything. If he’s available and fit, great. He might play a few minutes but if we think he’s still not ready we’re not going to push him.”

ISERLOHN, GERMANY - JUNE 23: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy looks on during a Italy training session at Hemberg-Stadion on June 23, 2024 in Iserlohn, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)
ISERLOHN, GERMANY: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy looks on during a Italy training session at Hemberg-Stadion on June 23, 2024. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)

In terms of the final cost of Calafiori’s transfer, The Athletic report that it could rise to £42m, but the initial cost is less than that.

Kaya Kaynak writes for Football.London that the initial fee is around €40m (£33.7m), so it seems like a fifth of the total fee is made up of add-ons.

Arsenal completed the signing ahead of interest from Bayern Munich, Juventus, Real Madrid, and Premier League clubs, and Arteta says the player was always keen.

“When I spoke to him one or two times and I knew the other things and I wasn’t really sure if we could [make the signing] or not, he was adamant,” Arteta said.

“‘Let me know when you’re ready, my bags are ready, and I just want to come to Arsenal.’

“Those were his words, and when you have that feeling and someone with that willingness to join us, to make us better, and that determination, that’s something really powerful. I think as a club we should be very proud of that.”