Calafiori claims unusual role at Arsenal isn’t his choice | OneFootball

Riccardo Calafiori has claimed his unusual style of play is a directive handed down to him by Arsenal’s coaches, not something he simply decides to do.

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

It’s fair to say Riccardo Calafiori’s positioning isn’t typical for a left-back, with the Arsenal defender popping up all over the place in recent games.

The stats certainly support that assessment, with one viral graphic by Footovision’s Andy Forrester over the weekend emphasising that the Italian international is showing for and receiving passes in the build-up pocket far more often than any other full-back:

Graphic via Andy Forrester on Twitter

But speaking to the media after Arsenal’s win over Fulham at the weekend, Calafiori insisted he isn’t doing anything he hasn’t been told to do.

“At the end, it’s what the team requires or what the coach asks me to do,” Calafiori said. “It’s not something that I like to do; it’s something I need to do.”

Calafiori’s roaming runs were almost rewarded with a goal in that Fulham match, with the left-back popping up in the penalty area and firing a shot into the top corner – only to be flagged offside.

Perhaps it says a lot about his positioning that he was even beyond the opposition defensive line.

“I didn’t see the replay yet, but yeah, I think it was a pretty good one,” the 23-year-old said of the disallowed goal. “But anyway, we won 1-0. So I’m happy.”

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Regardless of the reasoning behind Calafiori’s apparent free role in the team, it seems to be helping to add some unpredictability to Arsenal’s work in possession. Opposition defenders don’t know where they need to be to keep the left-back quiet.

It’s no surprise Calafiori is getting a run in the starting lineup in the early months of this season, even after Myles Lewis-Skelly played so well in 2024/25.

But after all those injury problems for the Italian allowed Lewis-Skelly to get into the lineup in the first place, Calafiori does need to continue to stay fit.