Riccardo Calafiori has revealed the details of his first conversation with Mikel Arteta, admitting it was “so easy” to talk to the Arsenal manager.

Calafiori joined the Gunners during the 2024 summer transfer window, rejecting the advances of Juventus to put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium after the club agreed to fork out £42m to Bologna for his services.

The defender has already made quite the impression on Arsenal fans in his first few months on the books, cementing himself as a fan favourite with a stunning goal against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium at the end of September.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Sport, Calafiori has discussed how his move to Arsenal came about, admitting that he didn’t really need much convincing thanks to the stature of the club.

“He [Arteta] first wrote to me and then said ‘Can I call you?'” said Calafiori. “It was so humble and so easy on the phone. He wanted to explain the situation and what they thought about me, what I could improve.

“He tried to convince me but I was already convinced. Not just because it is Arsenal but because it is Mikel.

“During my first training session I was thinking ‘is this real?’. When seeing the Arsenal logo, could I ever think I would be here now. It is such an amazing journey.”

The defender also revealed that former Roma manager Daniele De Rossi helped him make the decision to join Arsenal.

“He [De Rossi] is one of my friends and I always ask him about my biggest decisions and he always gives me good advice,” revealed Calafiori.

“I spoke to him about coming to Arsenal and he said ‘this one of the biggest opportunities for you to improve as a player’.”

Calafiori is set to line up for Arsenal once again this weekend when they face off against Bournemouth in the Premier League.

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