"Calafiorward", Arsenal's Modernized Defender

The signature "mask" celebration of Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has finally arrived in the English Premier League. After a subdued debut, Gyokeres silenced many critics in just a week. The moment of his first goal was made even more special as it was produced through a lightning-fast counterattack, which is his specialty.

Gyokeres broke Leeds United's offside trap. He sprinted, chasing the ball down the wing. From the left, the striker broke into the penalty area. He outwitted two defenders before firing a well-placed shot into the near post. The Leeds net shook instantly.

The individual action of Gyokeres was indeed impressive. However, behind that goal, there was a significant role played by the wing-back Riccardo Calafiori. In the Arsenal squad, which is accustomed to playing slowly, there are not many who can provide Gyokeres with the direct passes he needs. Calafiori made the difference.

Calafiori was the provider of the assist for Gyokeres' first goal. At first glance, his lob pass seemed haphazard. He made a one-touch pass without controlling the ball, with his face turned away from the direction of the pass. The ball traveled far to the right side of Leeds' defense.

However, all of this was actually planned. Calafiori, who moved to the position of holding midfielder, had already scanned Gyokeres' movements before receiving the pass. After scoring the goal, he immediately ran into the penalty area to assist in the transition situation.

Calafiori's original position is that of a left-back. Interestingly, in the process of scoring, he played both as a midfielder and a forward simultaneously. Calafiori took a higher position than the "number 8" midfielder Declan Rice. His off-the-ball movement successfully distracted the opponents in the penalty area.

"Fluid" and versatile, those words can somewhat describe the role of Calafiori in the two opening matches of this season. The Italian national team player has become a key element in Manager Mikel Arteta's tactical evolution in the new season. He has opened up another dimension to "The Gunners" attack from the left side.

He is a very difficult player for opponents to predict because he can occupy a variety of very different spaces.

"He is a player who is very difficult for opponents to predict because he can occupy very different spaces. He can do many things inside and around his own penalty area, in midfield, and in the opponent's penalty area. That is very difficult to predict," explained Arteta on the club's official website.

In the latter half of last season, Arteta relied more heavily on teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly at left wing-back. Lewis-Skelly's natural position is as a holding midfielder. He was then tasked with playing an inverted full-back role, consistently moving up into midfield when in possession.

Typically, in a 4-3-3 formation, Lewis-Skelly would move up to fill Rice's position in midfield. He would partner anchor midfielder Thomas Partey to maintain balance. Meanwhile, Rice, as a box-to-box midfielder, would be given the freedom to attack the penalty area.

The position of the wing-back is much more complex this season when played by Calafiori. Arsenal's formation remains the same. The difference is that Rice spends more time waiting below alongside anchor midfielder Martin Zubimedin. Calafiori is given the freedom to exploit the opponent's left side.

Interestingly, Calafiori plays multiple roles simultaneously in the opponent's half. He can roam the flanks like a true full-back, attack the halfspaces like a box-to-box midfielder, and wait for the ball in the penalty box like a "number 9" striker.

The 23-year-old defender's many duties make it difficult to categorize his role. Never before has a role been so free. Until finally, Arsenal fans agreed to call him "Calafiorward," a combination of his name and forward, indicating his strengths in the front line.

His abilities did not fall from the sky. Calafiori began his career at AS Roma as a wing-back. Before moving to Arsenal, he played more as a center-back at Bologna. The difference is that Calafiori often advances into the midfield, similar to the hybrid role played by John Stones at Manchester City.

"If you want to build attacks and have possession, he (Calafiori) is brilliant. He can easily penetrate the opponent's midfield," FC Basel coach Heiko Vogel, who coached Calafiori for one season (2022-23), told Sky Sports.

At Arsenal, Arteta combines all those attributes. The coach also revives his players' old instincts as attackers. Calafiori was unaware of that ability until he scored several crucial goals last season, one of which was a beautiful goal against City.

"When I was young, I was a forward and loved scoring many goals. I think that ability has faded since I started playing as a defender. Honestly, I am not very good in training, but in matches, it feels different. Suddenly, the ball goes into the opponent's goal," said Calafiori, January 2025, as quoted by the official Arsenal website.

Physical talent, playing vision, and technical skills also support Calafiori's versatility. Standing at 188 centimeters tall, he is well above the standard for a wingback, yet he can be very agile in handling the ball. The left-footed Calafiori is also quite proficient in using his right foot.

With a young age and a new system under Arteta, Calafiori's future looks very bright at Arsenal. The role of "Calafiorward" is sure to continue evolving over time. There is only one thing that Calafiori needs at the moment, which is to be free from the injury curse that has been lurking throughout his career.