BREAKING NEWS: Since Lewis Skelly have cemented himself on that left back position, there’s no point dragging with Him anymore but what I want now is this new position before I change my mind in the summer”, Arsenal defender Calafiori reveals the new position that He wants to play now after being benched by Lewis Skelly
BREAKING NEWS: Since Lewis Skelly have cemented himself on that left back position, there’s no point dragging with Him anymore but what I want now is this new position before I change my mind in the summer”, Arsenal defender Calafiori reveals the new position that He wants to play now after being benched by Lewis Skelly
Arsenal face PSG in the last four of the UEFA Champions League next Tuesday – and Mikel Arteta already has a selection headache.
Thomas Partey foolishly picked up a yellow card for dissent during the win over Real Madrid inside the Santiago Bernabeu, which means the Ghana international is suspended for the first leg of the semi-final.
The Arsenal No.5 has made 26 Premier League starts and ten UEFA Champions League starts this season, so he will be a huge loss for Mikel Arteta, although a defender who has actually been banging on the door for a midfield role could now get his wish.
What Riccardo Calafiori said about playing in midfield
Riccardo Calafiori – a £42m arrival from Bologna last summer – is a defender by trade, but has shown great ability when operating higher up the pitch.
The Italy international seems incredibly comfortable with the ball at his feet, which should come as no surprise considering the fact he is “passionate” about the art of playing midfield, and wants to try it.
Calafiori expressed his love for the midfield role in March, telling Rivista Undici: “There are many things I still don’t know how to do. I want to keep learning to play in as many different roles as possible. For now, I know two, but have always been passionate about midfielders and would love to learn how to play there.”
Arteta would typically drop Kai Havertz into midfield for situations like this, although the Germany international is sidelined after tearing his hamstring.
Mikel Merino started in midfield on Sunday as Arsenal beat Ipswich 4-0 at Portman Road, with Leandro Trossard starting as a striker, although the Spain international was superb in both legs against Real Madrid when operating as a false nine, so Arteta may be hesitant to drop his namesake deeper against PSG.
Myles Lewis-Skelly could also replace Thomas Partey
Like Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly is another defender who looks incredibly at ease in the centre of the pitch, where he has received great exposure while playing as an inverted left-back.
Therefore, the 18-year-old is another option to replace Partey against PSG.
Having said this, Luis Enrique can arguably boast the best midfield in Europe right now, with Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz shining in the UEFA Champions League this season, so whoever is entrusted to replace the Ghanaian could be in store for a baptism of fire in the middle of the park.
