Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori vividly recalled the jubilant scenes in the dressing room after the club’s historic Premier League triumph, calling it the most electrifying moment of the season. The 26-year-old Italian international admitted that Manchester City’s crucial slip at Bournemouth triggered an outpouring of raw emotion, finally ending the club’s 22-year wait for an English top-flight title.
From childhood dream to reality
The Gunners were officially crowned champions on May 19, following Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. Calafiori, who made 26 league appearances this season, lifted the trophy himself after a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on the final matchday, securing a seven-point gap at the summit. The Italian defender spoke with palpable pride about the significance of the achievement, just days before Arsenal’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
A defining moment in the dressing room
Calafiori described the exact instant the team realized they had secured the title—a moment etched in his memory. In a candid reflection, he shared, “Winning the Premier League was one of my childhood dreams, and this season’s journey made it even more incredible.”
“The most powerful moment? The final whistle at Bournemouth. Everyone erupted in joy—players, staff, and coaches, as if a weight had been lifted. After 22 years without this title, walking through the city afterward, I truly understood its impact on the fans and the community.”
Reflecting on his rapid adaptation to English football under Mikel Arteta, Calafiori added, “At the start of the season, I could sense the trust he placed in me. It wasn’t a given, and I didn’t expect it. I came here to push myself out of my comfort zone. The Premier League is relentless, but I’d recommend the experience to any young Italian player.”
Arteta’s leadership praised
Calafiori credited the club’s long-term vision and disciplined workload management for Arsenal’s strong team cohesion. Since Arteta took charge in 2019, the club had narrowly missed out on titles before finally breaking through this season. Comparing Serie A to the Premier League, he noted, “In Italy, an underperforming manager wouldn’t survive long. Here, Arsenal’s patience with Arteta was key.”
“This team’s unity stems from Arteta’s leadership and the club’s willingness to wait. Even for me, it was a first—I’d never spent two seasons at the same club before. When I arrived, I was exhausted and thought, ‘I’ll never play here.’ The difference is the relentless schedule. We play around 60 matches a year, so recovery is prioritized. Every game must be approached at peak fitness—it’s all about mindset.”
A European final and national pride
As the sole Italian representative in the Champions League final in Budapest, Calafiori is set to wear his national colors with pride against PSG. Just days before the showdown, he shared, “I’ll have the chance to represent my country and compete for the trophy in a year where we didn’t qualify for the World Cup.”
“Before, I used to play Champions League finals on PlayStation with my best friend, Nicolo Cesaroni, who’ll be in the stadium to watch me. Right now, I’m staying calm, but I’ll probably realize the magnitude when I board the plane. Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime—we have to seize them.”