Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal’s Italian defender, vividly recounted the jubilant scenes that erupted in the locker room after the club secured its historic Premier League title. The 26-year-old, who made 26 appearances this season, described the moment as the pinnacle of his footballing journey, especially after a 22-year wait for English football’s top honor.
« Winning the Premier League was a childhood dream, » Calafiori shared in an interview. « The season’s journey made it even more incredible. » The defining moment came not on the pitch but in the stands—when Manchester City’s crucial draw at Bournemouth confirmed Arsenal’s championship fate. « The final whistle at Bournemouth-Manchester City triggered an explosion of joy. Players and staff embraced, as if a weight had been lifted. This title had eluded us for two decades. »
From doubt to triumph: Calafiori’s adaptation in England
Calafiori admitted his initial skepticism about joining Arsenal under Mikel Arteta’s management. « At the start, I questioned whether I’d ever play here, » he recalled. « The Premier League’s relentless schedule—sixty matches a year—demands peak physical and mental conditioning. Training focuses on recovery, ensuring we’re at our best for every match. It’s a different mentality. »
Despite the challenges, he praised Arteta’s tactical vision and the club’s long-term strategy. « In Italy, patience isn’t a virtue for managers who don’t win immediately. Here, Arsenal’s leadership trusted the process, and it paid off. The team’s cohesion stems from that trust. »
A historic milestone for Italian football
With the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain looming, Calafiori becomes the sole Italian representative in the showpiece event. « This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, » he said. « I’ll wear the Italian colors with pride, especially in a year when our national team missed the World Cup. » Sharing his excitement, he added, « I used to play Champions League finals on PlayStation with my best friend, Nicolo Cesaroni, who’ll be in the stadium to witness this. I’ll only grasp the magnitude when I step on that plane to Budapest. »