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Arsenal player Riccardo Calafiori has released statements to Sky Sport microphones, related to various topics related to the Gunners and beyond.

Former Bologna player currently with Arsenal under Arteta ‘s management, Riccardo Calafiori has released statements to Sky Sport microphones, where he talked about various issues including former coach Thiago Motta , on the Premier League and on his future ambitions.

Calafiori’s Words

Below are the statements made by Arsenal player Riccardo Calafiori to Sky Sport microphones:

“Even I can’t explain how I did it, I knew how different the Premier League was, I had given myself months, days to adapt, but I must say that, also thanks to Arsenal, which helped me not to miss Italy, I started off strong, they knew how to manage me especially the first month and then I took off.”

What is the first thing Arteta told you when he saw you?

“We had been talking for a while, we had also been in touch before the European Championship. The first thing he told me was: ‘You have to come here’.

Then he showed me the project, the idea he had about me and I couldn’t help but agree with him. To reach the next step was the best thing.”

How has your life changed from Bologna to London?

“It has changed a lot. Bologna is a small city, I did everything on foot, I lived in the center, I only took the car to go to Casteldebole. Last year I lived with someone and was in a relationship, here I arrived alone, in a huge and completely different city.

If you have time and financial availability London is really beautiful. The only thing I don’t like is the weather (laughs, editor’s note). We played many games, it’s not easy to get around the city, but at the beginning I did a bit and sometimes you can even go unnoticed because it’s so big.”

Who do you look up to?

“I never had a single point of reference. When I was little, I wanted to be a ball boy because I was interested in seeing how the players moved, how they thought. I always try to learn from the players around me, I don’t have a specific name.”

What is your role?

“At Arsenal I play full-back, in the National Team I play wing-back. I feel great in both roles. However, they give me freedom with the ball, I have a lot of fun when I move that way, doing things consciously.”

Did Thiago Motta change your career?

“Yes, absolutely. Maybe at the time I thought he was teaching me things that I could only use at that moment and in that team, but then I realized that I also brought them with me here at Arsenal and at the European Championship.”

When did you realize you would become a footballer?

“After the injury I had at 16. They told me I couldn’t play again, it unleashed a different strength in me, it marked me a lot. When I returned to the field, I was sure I would be a footballer, but at this level I couldn’t imagine it, I didn’t expect it.”

How many times have you watched the goal against Manchester City?

“Many times. It was early, September 22nd, the first start in the Premier League and it was immense joy because it confirmed what I thought, that I could make a difference in the toughest game. At that time the level of City was the usual.”

The nicest message after that goal?

“From some of my former teammates from Bologna, it seems to me that they were on the bus after the game, it was the greatest satisfaction because they were all watching together and rejoicing for me.”

Have you stayed in touch with anyone you played with at Bologna?

“Actually with almost all the guys, but especially De Silvestri , Orsolini , Ravaglia , Ndoye .”