Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has heaped praise on his teammate Riccardo Calafiori, referring to the Italian defender as a “crack” player. The term, commonly used in Italian and Spanish football circles, is used to describe a player of exceptional quality.
Martinelli’s compliment came after Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Leicester City, further solidifying Calafiori’s growing influence within Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal’s victory over Leicester extended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season. It was an eventful game at the Emirates Stadium, where the Gunners initially went up 2-0 before Leicester staged a brief comeback, leveling the scoreline in the space of 15 minutes.
However, Arsenal reasserted control late in the game, adding two more goals, including one in injury time, to seal the victory. This result kept Arsenal firmly in the title race, sitting just one point behind the league leaders, Liverpool.
Riccardo Calafiori, who joined Arsenal from Bologna in the summer as the club’s most expensive signing, has started to cement his place in the starting lineup. The defender has now started two consecutive Premier League matches, showcasing his increasing value to manager Mikel Arteta.
Against Leicester, he played a key role in securing the win, and his presence on the pitch is becoming more significant as Arteta integrates him more fully into the team.
Calafiori’s rise in prominence comes after an impressive performance the previous week, where he scored in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City.
His inclusion in the starting lineup for the Leicester game marked another step in his steady adaptation to the Premier League, and it seems his contributions have not gone unnoticed by his teammates.
Following the victory over Leicester, Calafiori took to Instagram to celebrate the result. He posted a photo of the team, accompanied by a caption that read: “Never give up, great job guys!” This post caught the attention of Gabriel Martinelli, who responded with a comment in Italian, calling Calafiori a “crack,” a high compliment indicating his admiration for the defender’s talent and impact.
Martinelli’s public acknowledgment of Calafiori’s abilities underscores the Italian’s growing status within the squad. Despite being relatively new to the Premier League, Calafiori has quickly adapted to the fast pace and physicality of the English game.
His performances have impressed both his manager and teammates, with Martinelli’s comment suggesting that the young defender is already earning the respect of the more established players in the squad.
Calafiori’s arrival at Arsenal last summer came with significant expectations due to the hefty price tag attached to his transfer. However, Arteta has carefully managed his integration into the team, gradually giving him more minutes as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
Based on his recent performances, it appears that Calafiori is living up to the hype, and if he continues on this trajectory, he could become a crucial player for Arsenal as the season progresses.
Overall, Arsenal’s win over Leicester was a positive result for the team, and the recognition of Riccardo Calafiori by a key player like Gabriel Martinelli highlights the defender’s importance to the squad.
With Arteta’s side continuing their strong start to the season, Calafiori’s contributions will likely play an even bigger role as Arsenal push for a Premier League title challenge.
