@@SteveBarrow-lp2ns Yea but idk why that Bayern game, even when watching I could clearly tell they kept on targeting our LB position and it was so frustrating to watch as an Arsenal fan
I think one of the biggest indicators for why Arteta wants him to play LB is the Bayern games. The left side needed that lockdown defender. He tried all three left backs over the two legs, we were still getting over run and targeted over that side. Bring a player like Calafiori in and that vunrability suddently lessens. A really exciting signing personally. (Speaking of Bayern, I am hoping these whispers of a German international is Sane, in a dream world its Jamal but Sane seems to be the one)
@@jacobalexander4167 I look at it like the City squad now. Don't just consider us a starting 11, the full squad needs to be utilzed. We were the most unchanged starting eleven last season which needs to change, so bringing in players like Sane who can cover both wings and comfortably start in other games wouldn't limit his game time. Especially if we want to go further in UCL this season, the fixture conjestion is insane so we need players like Sane who can start and hold his own. Pep does a great job with this, so hopefully we see some more of this from Mikel next season
This was a signing I didn't think Arsenal would be brave enough to make. We normally play the wait game. I guarantee you in a years time it would have been impossible to get him because the other top clubs would have moved aggressively and by then He would have cost too much. He is in the same vein as Bastoni. Juve wanted him. Clubs like Real , Barca, Juve , Inter are elite at picking up these players that are getting on people's radar and making them superstars.
@@abhinavkumarsingh_0365 Diomande is not better than Calafiori. You don't know anything that you're talking about. Calafiori ball carrying ability is top class.
@@jordandavis3867 "You don't know anything that you're talking about" says the clown who spent 8 months noshing off Mudryk begging him to come to Arsenal because, and i quote, "Weeee looooove youuuuuuuuu xxxxxxx" Then to top that he's now telling us that "Calafiori ball carrying ability is top class" despite 10 days ago he'd never even heard of the seriously injury prone defender Eejit
Verdict is still out on Kiwior. He was fine but nothing more than that when he played in that run of games. I wouldn't want him starting for us in a game of importance.
Harvey ! You have done a great deal in breaking down this wonderful deal, am very optimistic about him solidifying the team defensively and overall. Thank you brother, for the great job you're doing 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Thanks so much! It’s not necessarily a deal I’m in love with, but I can see the upside in terms of defensive depth and Calafiori’s own schedule for development!
Cala will be a good signing this year potentially. I think Zen was to help bring in that winning mentality (even tho we haven't won nothing) but now that Pep team mentality that Arteta is bringing here is great and the culture. I am pumped for the season in general.
Thank you for providing us the enlightenments on the new prospect signing Riccardo Calafiori. You put details analysis of the new signing how he benefits the club and your reservation on experience of the player by saying Arsenal buy a project that means the player is not finished article. In my view, If he signed for our club he fills the gap shown on Zinchenko and narrow the margin with Man City and then finally to trophies new season 2024/25 and also as the versatile player he can cover at least three positions and then solve the problem of the squad depth.
I’m happy with the signing. Simply put. Club have gone for a current tier 2 talent with the prospect of him becoming a tier 1 one. We’ve secured ourselves a Kiwior upgrade and more of a defensive carousel for Mikel to deploy. Also secured our build up at the back very nicely.
Hi Harvey, Regarding Calafiori I have one concern because of his aggressive playing style and he is exposed for injury. How do you see my idea in this case.
Not really too knowledgable in his injury past (in terms of type of injury and whether they are reoccurring/innocuous or if there is a genuine concern there). His over aggressiveness and zealousness will just be coached the same way Gabriel’s was
I’ve been suggesting it for 6 months now! Doesn’t mean he will never play in DF or be our inverted profile; but just means he becomes more a depth option there if that makes sense. Thanks for the lovely comment too:)))
Seeing as Kiwior was brought in mainly as a CB on the left to fight/rotate with Gabby, I think he is good enough for the squad position and IMO we should keep everyone of the backline whilst adding Calafiori. (move Zinny away from defensive positions) (left footed) Gabby - Kiwior - Calafiori (right footed) Saliba - White - Timber Also Tomi being able to cover across that whole backline too That is the strength in depth which we all wanted.
Here's my problem with Arsenal. We go into every season celebrating the fact we have profiles that allow for a great deal of flexibility. Yet, all that is only so in theory. Come crunch time during the season, Arteta will default to conservatism, playing the same players into the ground and sticking too long with certain on-field dynamics that don't work until they cost the team results. This is a great video about the range of possibilities, but if Arteta's antecedents are anything to go by, we may never see half of these applications actually play out.
He's Versatile?? He's very injury prone too. Mikel likes injury prone. Probably bought as a LB to cover all the injury prone players who he's already signed
Califiori is the No 6 the Asernal need. I see Asernal using double pivot nect season with both him and Rice being both good as box to box players. Califiori more on the right and Rice more on the left.
Harvey please do your research on Calafiori aside’s from this season for Bologna in terms of getting pasted by dribblers he’s statistically similar to Zinchenko not only in passing and possession but in aerial duels won go and check for yourself. Some things are too good to be true sometimes similar to Mudryk when a player overperforms and gets sold for a lot of money
@@remy7663 no your not getting it it’s something he hasn’t been good for some time even before Mourinho even though it is a small sample size it’s something people need to look at. I agree it’s something that can be coached but for £40-45M is not good value for money cause the CB/LB’s primary job is to have at least average defensive capacity.
@@nabeel426 Yea I saw his history, he's been mediocre when he plays LB, last season when he was moved to CB at Bologna with Motta's crazy tactics is basically his breakout first good season. I chalked it up to him getting good coaching and improving as a player, these things happen yknow.
@@remy7663 to a degree I agree but the way Motta played last season is different to how managers now or even in the past 10-15 years have played: 2-7-2 horizontally it’s odd but it works
@@nabeel426 It's just a 4-1-4-1 and his role was a CB that pushes up with the ball, I feel that Mikel looked at his traits of being defensively solid and being technically sound as transferrable. Anyway, all we can do is just hope for the best now🤣 I trust the recruitment team enough
What do you think of a switch to a three at the back system with timber and Ben white as wing backs? That would solve the midfield problem because those two and Calafiori would step into midfield for support, and there’d be an amazing defensive structure when they drop into 5 at the back
Wild call here as much as the saying goes " if it ain't broke, don't fix it." But!! I'm all for a newer looking Artetaernised 4-4-2 set up. Where we would see a TANGRAM strategy played on attacks. White, Saliba, Gabi, Timber Saka Odegaard Rice Marti Kai Jesus Thoughts ?
Would be pretty much a 4-2-4 in game-which I’ve been pushing for a while for the big games tbf. All depends on Odegaard’s ability to move into the pivot more rigidly long term. He’s got a massive brain, so he can-but whether that is where Arteta sees his MF heading is a completely different direction. Having said that, I think having a ‘soft middle’ in this regard is absolutely possible too. See Pep w Silva, Bernardo etc.
As I’ve said, I’m flexible on the who and I’ll be content if we add these four things: 1. Maintain progression; 2. Improve LHS dynamics; 3. Better in the moments (i.e adding dynamism + efficient profiles to our attack in transition + box moment); 4. Rice/Saliba cover (it looks like Saliba cover is considered in house-which is fine so long as that cover is utilised!)
@@harveygration would Tomiyasu & White & Timber not be considered as Saliba cover ? Given we have plenty of artillery in our Arsenal to choose from the versatile players or would a more 1 positional player be better suited to get the job done ??
I can see a return for a 235ish structure at times. more balanced and more symmetrical, attacking triangles either side of the holding mid and cf, with players like Calafiori, Timber and White who are more than comfortable in so many zones.
We use it more than any other structure in the final third, albeit full of rotations and flexibility. Those wide pods as you said are absolutely key (because of the full back importance/facilitation mostly)
RC IMO will help AFC cope better with mid blocks and to a smaller extent low blocks. He can drive into midfield positions to put the squeeze on teams who choose the game plan of sitting back and hit on the counter, keeping opposing players locked in to maintain pressure and gain the flanks. Being more advanced he can also help recover the ball up higher should the ball be lost to prevent turnovers. He will also help free Rice to venture forward and help produce overloads and get the ball into dangerous zones. His desire to run at opposing players can also carve out chances if opponents spread out to cover the flanks. Saliba and Gabriel has done some of these runs but IMO MA probably prefers to keep Saliba in defence and as cover in case RC fails. For games vs better teams, IMO Timber is preferred
@@harveygrationWhen I think about MA’s description of wanting to “dominate” and not just control, RC as a squeezer seems to be a good fit towards that approach. At some point teams sitting back will realise they can only go some compact before it starts falling apart. IMO any out balls will get cleaned up by Rice, then Saliba, then Raya (3 layers of defence) coming off his line if it goes to plan. At 22, his current level with all due respect to the teams in mind, is high enough and should be more than suffice. IMO he’s almost ready to go straight into playing first team after the usual bedding in period
@90AlmostFamous I feel Rice is better utilized when he progresses forward with Odegaard, he brings an attacking balance towards the left side to help Trossard/Martinelli, we normally isolate the left side so much. Good example is his assists against bournemouth & against chelsea. Yes i agree we need another holding CDM to replace partey.
Still lacking that specialist and pure overlapper (Cala is a Kiwior replacement/upgrade so still leaves room for this); but he can add these moments situationally/Will definitley marginally improve us here by virtue of his dynamism and left footedness
I think Calafiori is the best option. TNAT said that he wasn't in our initial list next to Branthwaite, Hato and Murillo, but he is more versatile. Other thee options are good on the ball, but they are defenders. Calafiori can play back three and let Benny go higher, cut into center and has ability to over-lap. That's why he is potentially better than Gvadiol overall
I saw that from TNAT! Thought it was really interesting. Murillo although more supple provides those similar block breaking moments of unpredictability and dynamism to Cala. Hato, Branthwaite are your calmer temperaments on the ball. Still leaves room for specialist LB too
@@harveygration Lot's of saucers confirmed that Kiwior is more likely to go. I would be so frustrated if we don't sign another lb to replace Zinchenko. Zina and Cala are injury prone players. I really don't want Arsenal to play whole season with just 5 defenders
What happens with Zinchenko? Well I get Mikel's point and I really understand it now better after watching this video my problem is I want a CF. I know have did well last time but we need a Toney or Watkins
For Zinny: his profile (build up general) from full back will be useful to ANY top level football team. And without a specialist overlapper this window, there are still minutes for him in this Arsenal side to lock pick for us. However his centrality is being increasingly reduced. Redundant in some ways now. Will be looking to offload him. But again, he’s not an essential sell this window. In the right game state he will be valuable.
Different types but in terms of progression in its broadest sense ok. But Jurrien has the ability to control games in the final third better; he isn’t an anchor MF currently; and they both have different preferences to get us up the field. A dynamic upgrade but Partey in his prime defensively and athletically was a different beast.
Top vid Harv,I’ve got the feeling that maybe both kiwior & zinchenko leave,& we bring in a more pure overlapper along with caliafori. His progressive carries are impressive aswell,also can’t help to think this is a potential phasing out of Gabriel in the future…just a thought.
Think it makes a cheaper overlapper more likely-a Dorgu kind of signing that I know our scouts like 👀. That was we pretty much cover the so called redundant profiles (KT, Kiwior, Zinny, Tavares). The Gabriel one is interesting and it’s still a point of debate. His maturation will have gone a long way to solidifying his LT starting place but there can be no guarantees. Saliba is the only untouchable in the back line.
He’s an upgrade on Kiwior and Zinchenko and can do both their jobs mate. That should mean we sell the two aforementioned which then makes perfect sense.
He cant do Zinchenko's job to Zinchenko's level currently...no one can in our squad other than Partey and he might already be leaving. Calafiori has potential but right now there's little reason to sell Zinchenko when Calafiori might not be ready to be one of our most progressive/aggressive passers like Zinny
@@imranb4985 and why don't you agree? I literally haven't seen a single moment of Calafiori popping open a low block or making a risky progressive pass to create a chance...have you? He will 110% be a better defender than Zinchenko but that doesn't mean he can do what Zinny does on the ball against low blocks. That's just a fact. So is it that you don't agree because you've seen something of Calafiori that I haven't or because you just don't want to admit that I'm right? 🙂
@@cwkjr2625 I’m not interested in getting into a debate with a know-it-all. We shall see when he plays that LB role how your point of view falls flat on its face.
@@imranb4985 lmao, why so pained brother? 😭 Firstly I'm not a know it all, I literally asked if you've seen something I've not to say that Calafiori can do what Zinchenko does. It is a genuine question, and if you had an answer that would be great... And secondly, I never said Calafiori wouldn't play LB 😂, I want him to and that's probably what Mikel will do but I also think Zinchenko will still be useful as depth instead of being sold like you said in the main comment because we literally don't have his passing profile in the squad especially since Partey might be leaving and Calafiori isnt a like for like replacement. Just because I say Calafiori isn't as good as Zinchenko on the ball doesn't mean I don't think he should be our LB, Zinny is literally one of the best progressive passers in World football despite his defensive issues. I hope you understand this and stop being triggered by genuine questions and points bro, if you put your opinion on the Internet you are bound to get some back 😂🤷♂️
Sounds like it’s moving relatively quickly. Getting a player who in 2-3 years has a high chance of becoming elite if my/Arteta’s development plans line up😂
Think it’s a possibility that. Although Timber can only be that main, singular DM in a handful of games for me. But a pivot with Rice yes, yes. Lots of room for change and evolution though.
Hopefully not going to trigger anyone here, but..... with Ramsdale, Smith-Rowe, Nelson & Nketiah more than likely to depart come the new season, leaving White, Rice & Saka as the remaining English men left in the 1st team squad.............. Do you think we will bring in any English players this summer or perhaps would a couple of our youth players be promoted to the senior squad ?
Progressively really good. Has potential to grow into CCB. Has those Gabriel diag line cutters on lock. Loves a switch of play (another switcher we are not going to use!). Again very associative and supple on the ball. Nice
I don't think they have the same amount of cuteness in tight spaces, particularly making that line breaking pass into a crowded area like Zinny. I think Zinny still has a place in our squad
@@RishiSharma-sf6eu I think we still will probably more so if we use the diamond in midfield more because then Zinchenko would be higher up the pitch and probably nore influential and less of a liability...maybe not in the bigger games but we will still face many teams that will drop back, give us the ball and wait us out in a low block or midblock and currently there are only 3 players who progress the ball like no others; Partey, Jorginho and Zinchenko (I don't add Odegaard because we want him closer to goal). And the situation is that apparently Partey is close to leaving, Jorginho will play less minutes this coming season and even if we sign a player like Kimmich who is a progressive master and I love him as a player, we still need depth for different challenges especially since I want us to try to win the FA and Caraboa cups as well as the Prem. Zinchenko would still be a major option in those matches against stubborn blocks.
@@cwkjr2625 that's fair, i never meant we sold him this season i meant that we will play a lot differently in the prem and champions league so his minutes will get reduced cus he's too fixed in his position
Where should Tomiyasu be substituted now? He wasn't effective as a left back where Timber excelled, and Zinchenko lacked defensive abilities. Ben White subsite where Arteta barely does last season.
"Where should the injury prone Tomiyasu be substituted now?" - Hopefully sold "He wasn't effective as a left back where Timber excelled" - Excelled for all of 59 mins last season... "£35m Arteta signing Zinchenko lacked defensive abilities" - Who saw that coming?
He’ll just be part of the defensive carousel. Still our best lockdown defender, and without another build up leader and versatile option like a Diomande, Tomi will still be extremely important for the squad. Just mean we can manage things a bit better with him this season.
With Calafiori (im still not assuming him signed tho), I would want a specialist LB still. So maybe something like this… Kiwior out/DF reinforcements: Calafiori (Hato, Diomande, and Lukeba gonna have to wait it seems) LB specialist: Davies, Balde, Dorgu (all options open now) If Marquee FWD (for upping our efficiency in the moments): Osimhen If no marquee FWD: Adeyemi, Neto, Williams. If Partey Out: Onana/Fofana MF (depending on rest of funds): Onana, Fofana or *insert a top LCM I like lol* Basically, this is how our squad building will be planned I reckon/how I would have it at least.
@@harveygration could you imagine the left hand side dynamics with calafioris amazing runs from defence to attack with Musiala tight space control martinelli pace from behind and Havertz link up play 😍🥰
That rock and roll freer CB roll is best suited for him now. But I see him as the Kiwior upgrade. Hybrid LCBing, traditional LB, tucking, overlapping with greater threat etc
Ferdi is ambipedal so can provide an overlap. However, his best work comes in the middle. Closer to a cancelo then a pure overlapper for me. Great, great, footballer, but not quite my specialist profile I’m looking for. In my humble opinion.
He’s part of the defensive carousel now. Currently he’s best as the rock and roll freer CB, but traditional LB ofc too. Let’s see Mikel’s plan. I see him as the Kiwior upgrade
What I love about Arteta's philosophy of improving from the back is that our attackers will be training against them week in, week out, and will improve themselves. Fogging standards!! ❤️🤍❤️🤍
It’s a strange one. I don’t think it’s off the cards; but I also think Gabs development last season has made him (for now) the LT Arsenal LCB. But a Calafiori 2-year development plan may well change things
@@harveygration personally I would shift timber in the middle to play alongside rice and then I play a back four of calafiori , big gab , saliba and ben white . I think that's a solid lineup
Let me explain why Mikel Arteta wants Riccardo Calafiori at Arsenal in one sentence.. Because every other LB (and GK) that he's signed has been an absolute disaster, hence the reason why he's desperately trying to sign another one. You're welcome
@@c0mbat15 The fact is we haven't signed anyone yet other than a Championship Level GK to replace the other Championship Level GK Arteta signed to replace the World Cup winning GK who he sold That's what i'm talking about. Do try to keep up. Thanks.
@@MickDarcy There's no need to keep up with you. This channel would be a really rubbish channel if Harvey just made the comments that you did. I.e. our LB and GK signings have not worked so we need new ones. This piece was about why specifically we want Calafiori. So I get your comments but you were trying to be smart in suggesting that you've summarised this video.
@@c0mbat15 I don't need to summarize any video or listen to anyone to know that most of Artetas 27 signings have been failures. How do i know? Because unlike yourself and 99% of online Arsenal 'fans', i'm a season ticket holder who for the last 4 trophy less seasons has seen it with my own eyes
Og sub here wish for you to have more success and I saw you TDK recently I'm glad that you took our advice to colab with them also I have idea to get more subs man please try to create your own team of maybe Jess and Jame b to form one super channel than promote your channel their as well also I would love to see you more relaxed in videos u seem too stiff man just have fun with it and tell us about yourself and do some vlogs showing your true self and F*** any one who has problem you are that level now and if don't believe me please review your recent vid TDK colab to that u lacked a bit present their I hate see you like that take more leadership man you can do it love your videos tho...❤✌️😅
People quickly forget that after inheriting Unai Emerys signing Saliba, Arteta has now spent close to £275m on mostly injury prone defenders (and 4 Championship level GKs after selling a world cup winning one) on a defence that's 1 injury away from him re-signing Rob Holding or playing Kiwior at CB. Let that sink in.... Now after he told us that "qualifying for the CL generates huge income and attracts world class players", he thinks the answer is signing a Bologna CB who at the age of 22 has missed over 150 games through injury.
Ah yes SteveBarrow-lp2ns, we should just not trust the guy who has gone head to head with one of the greatest managers of all time not once but twice, rebuilt a shite team and brought great culture back to the squad. Also a great coach who has improved most of his signings who had the potential
@@techno4178 Awww bless...the classic "but he's gone head to head with one of the greatest managers of all time" excuse for 4 trophy less seasons on the bounce Who saw that coming?? 🤣 Tell me, wtf did Pep have to do with him losing to Villa, Bayern Munich, Spurs, Newcastle, Everton, Nottm Forest, West Ham, Liverpool and Fulham etc that prevented him from winning a trophy after spending 700m quid??? Then the next excuse - "But he rebuilt a shite team" that won him an FA Cup and won nothing since with. Oh it get's better.... "He's brought great culture back to the squad" - That's now known for being the biggest bottle jobs of all time, not once but twice (Ouch) and together with Edu now has the club more commonly known as "Cut Our Losses FC (Ouch again) And finally....."he's improved most of his signings who had the potential" Really? Name one who's won a trophy under him? It's ok fella....i can wait so you take all the time you need with that xx
