Calafiori opens up about scorpion block: ‘I just reacted’ | OneFootball

Italy and Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori opens up about his scorpion block during last week’s Premier League match against Everton: ‘I didn’t think about it too much, I just reacted.’

Calafiori has made headlines in England thanks to a fantastic clearance during a Premier League match against Everton on Saturday.

It allowed the Gunners to keep a clean sheet and ultimately secure a massive 2-0 win thanks to two late goals.

Calafiori: scorpion block my ‘best’ clearance so far

During a press conference on Tuesday, Calafiori spoke about his defensive action, admitting that it was probably the best clearance in his career so far.

“I think it is the best so far. Also, I think it was so important for the result and the team. I’m really happy about this,” the Italian told reporters before a Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.

“I didn’t think about it too much. I just looked at the guy shooting and thought I had to take as much space as possible. I just reacted. As we say, we love to defend our house and our goal, and we try to do everything we can.

“It’s important to get a clean sheet. When we do, we usually win the game, so it’s really important to us.”

Arsenal are the Arsenal table leaders with a nine-point lead over Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.

“I think especially now, from March on to the next few months, it’s the best part of the season as well,” added Calafiori.

“You started so early in the pre-season, and then you work so hard to get to this point, to be in the competition and to be so close to winning. I think it’s a dream to be here.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 28: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Arsenal FC and FC Kairat Almaty at Arsenal Stadium on January 28, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The Italian is in his second season in North London and is certainly enjoying the atmosphere at the club, on and off the pitch.

“I think we’re all friends. I love them, and I have a good relationship with them,” he said.

“We are friends, first of all. Obviously, then on the pitch you try to compete to get ahead of them, but we’re all friends, and they’re all really good players, I think.

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

“Obviously, we love to chat in the dressing room. We love to help each other, and when it’s time to go aggressive on the pitch or sometimes just be more chill, just to help your teammate or the team at the end. Obviously, sometimes we see each other off the pitch, and I think that’s important.”

The Italian defender also spoke about his defensive movements at Arsenal: “We have a structure, and we have to respect all the principles and things we’ve been trying to learn since the beginning of the season. At the same time, I’m really good at doing what I do, finding this kind of place. But it’s not freedom. If I’m in that position, it means another player covers mine. You need a good structure to defend, it’s not casual, it’s structure.”

Calafiori will be one of the players included in the Italy squad for this month’s World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.