Arsenal star Calafiori nominated for Premier League Player of the Month | OneFootball

Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori has been nominated for Premier League Player of the Month for August, after a strong showing for Arsenal in the first three matches of the season.

The versatile Italian is among eight names on the shortlist for the award, alongside the likes of Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Hugo Ekitike.

Calafiori has been in fine form this season for the Gunners.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Gabriel Martinelli during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old scored the only goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 opening game victory against Manchester United before picking up two assists for Mikel Arteta’s side in their 5-0 win over Leeds the following week at the Emirates Stadium. The defender also put in a strong, but ultimately fruitless, performance against Liverpool as the Gunners fell to a late free-kick goal to lose 1-0 at Anfield.

Calafiori finally making his mark at Arsenal

Calafiori signed for Arsenal from Bologna last summer, joining the Premier League giants in a deal worth up to €50 million inclusive of add-ons.

The Italian had a mixed first season in the English capital, from the high of his wonder goal in the Gunners’ 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, to the lows of his knee and muscular injuries that saw him miss around half of the season.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Altay Bayindir of Manchester United fails to save a header which leads to the first goal for Arsenal scored by Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Calafiori’s absence allowed for the dramatic rise of English starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly but with the Italian back to full fitness this season, the 23-year-old has so far displaced his 18-year-old teammate in Arteta’s starting XI.