What does the signing of Riccardo Calafiori mean for Arsenal's other defenders?

  • The transfer seems imminent and could mean changes for the Gunners' current defenders
Calafiori is close to joining the club
Calafiori is close to joining the club / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
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Kieran Tierney

Kieran Tierney
Tierney's days at Arsenal are numbered / Nigel French/Allstar/GettyImages

Kieran Tierney has become a forgotten man at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and is likely to leave the club this summer.

If there was any doubt about him leaving, the signing of Riccardo Calafiori has no doubt made this an absolute certainty.


Ben White

Ben White
White had a brilliant campaign last year / Nigel French/Allstar/GettyImages

Like Saliba, Ben White's place in the team is not under threat from impending signing Calafiori.

However, the right back could now have more cover with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber both capable of playing on each flank.


Gabriel Magalhaes

Gabriel
Gabriel is another of the world's best defenders / Alex Grimm/GettyImages

Gabriel's place in the team is unlikely to be under threat from Calafiori given he was a key part of the league's best defence last season but as the past has shown, anything can happen.

If Mikel Arteta prefers Riccardo Calafiori as a left-sided centre back, he could begin to contemplate replacing Gabriel. He showed with his decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale for David Raya that he is brave enough to take risks if it means possibly improving the team so Gabriel must be on his A-game constantly throughout this season.

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