Calafiori Channels Pain Of Italy World Cup Misery To Fuel Arsenal Trophy Push

After everything Riccardo Calafiori has been done complete nan past mates of weeks, Tuesday nighttime was precisely what he needed. The Italy defender was still buzzing from Kai Havertz’s precocious winning goal against Sporting successful nan first limb of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final erstwhile he reflected connected a fortnight during which his nine suffered successive defeats either broadside of the Azzurri failing to suffice for nan World Cup again.

“It’s been tough, but that is nan beauty of football: it is 100% amended now,” Calafiori said, earlier reflecting first connected Saturday’s daze FA Cup nonaccomplishment astatine Southampton, past connected nan wider symptom of nan period. “This chance to play 3 days later alternatively than conscionable enactment location and deliberation astir it [was welcome]. Of people I’m really disappointed, but I’ve sewage a batch to play for pinch Arsenal.”

Asked whether Italy missing retired connected nan World Cup for nan 3rd clip successful a statement had fixed him much desire to win astatine nine level, he said: “Maybe successful a way, yes. But I’m still really disappointed and sad.”

As Sporting pushed difficult towards nan extremity astatine a lively Estádio José Alvalade, nan imaginable of Calafiori being connected nan losing broadside again was looming large. Had it not been for the heroics of David Raya, who produced 3 world-class saves earlier Havertz delivered nan coup de grâce successful wounded time, Arsenal could person succumbed to a 3rd nonaccomplishment successful a statement successful 3 competitions successful 17 days.

The talk of punishment and gloom steadily building since nan Carabao Cup last conclusion by Manchester City would person surely reached deafening levels. Mikel Arteta demanded his players “rediscover their identity”, and Calafiori was delighted pinch nan measurement Arsenal responded earlier they big Bournemouth connected Saturday successful their first Premier League fixture since they hit Everton connected 14 March. That is an opportunity to agelong their lead astatine nan apical to 12 points earlier City recreation to Chelsea connected Sunday.

“That was a clear objection of our identity, which possibly we mislaid a small spot successful nan past mates of games,” Calafiori said. “But we came backmost arsenic I like. I recognise my squad again. It’s a bully crippled to travel backmost and now we tin bask it, but we are already reasoning astir Saturday. Every crippled is really important now.”

David Raya was important to Arsenals 1-0 triumph against Sporting. Photograph: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

Raya has kept a 7 cleanable sheets successful Arsenal’s 11 Champions League games and saved 27 of nan 30 shots he has faced – by acold nan champion grounds successful nan competition. Havertz described nan Spain No 1 arsenic nan champion goalkeeper successful nan world aft nan triumph against Sporting and Calafiori believes Raya’s return successful spot of Kepa Arrizabalaga aft being rested against City and Southampton engendered assurance successful nan defence.

“We person a bully narration pinch him and I deliberation he’s going to thief america done until nan extremity of nan season,” he said. “We person played a batch of games [together] and I consciousness really unafraid pinch him. With his feet and successful nan goal, his reflexes are unbelievable.”

The fallout from Italy’s World Cup run continues aft Gennaro Gattuso stepped down arsenic manager past week. But Calafiori insisted nan negativity directed astatine Arsenal since their quadruple hopes ended had not affected him. “It’s evident that it’s a monolithic nine pinch truthful overmuch history that they emotion to speak astir us,” he said. “But it doesn’t alteration thing for me.”