"He has already done that in Italy" – Mikel Arteta explains why Arsenal splashed £42 million to sign Riccardo Calafiori 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped huge praise on summer arrival Riccardo Calafiori following his side's 2-0 UEFA Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Earlier this Tuesday (October 1), Calafiori started his first Champions League clash at Emirates Stadium. He helped his side keep two back-to-back clean sheets in the continental competition as he won four of four tackles and won six of 12 total duels in 90 minutes of action.

After the end of Arsenal's game against PSG, Arteta lauded Calafiori for continuing to excel in a full-back role this season. The Spaniard remarked (h/t Tribal Football):

"He has the capacity to occupy different spaces really comfortably. He has already done that in Italy. That's why we signed him. First of all he's a great defender, he's got his presence, his energy and his full commitment. And then he's really brave. He doesn't care, in any situation he wants the ball, he wants to make things happen with it and he's happy to play in different roles."

Calafiori, who started three outings for Italy at the UEFA Euro 2024, joined Arsenal from Bologna in a potential £42 million move earlier this July. The 22-year-old has started four of his seven appearances across competitions for his club, registering a goal along the way.

Last season, the left-footed centre-back helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League. He scored two goals and laid out five assists in 33 overall matches as the Serie A club finished fifth in the league table.

Mikel Arteta reveals reason for substituting Arsenal star off in latest continental victory

During the Gunners' recent win against PSG, Jurrien Timber suffered a knock and was substituted off at the half-time break. The 23-year-old Dutchman was replaced by Jakub Kiwior right after the end of the break.

At a post-game press conference, Mikel Arteta was asked to shed light on Timber's recent injury. He responded to reporters (h/t football.london):

"He was unbelievable in the first half but he felt something muscular and he wasn't certain. He's played more minutes than we would have wanted in the past few weeks and we have to manage him."

Timber, who arrived from Ajax in a potential £38 million switch last summer, started Arsenal's recent match in a right-back role. He won two of two tackes and three of three ground duels in 45 minutes of action.

Should Timber fail to be fit to face Southamton this Saturday, Thomas Partey could feature in a defensive role or Kiwior might play the game.