Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori left embarrassed by bold Chelsea and Real Madrid comparisons

• Arsenal
• Arsenal News
• Riccardo Calafiori

The Arsenal defender was singled out for praise after the Gunners' win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League

Some lavish praise from Fabio Capello left Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori blushing after the win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the Champions League.

The Gunners continued their remarkable recent form at the Emirates Stadium with an emphatic 3-1 win over the German champions. They are top of both the Premier League and Champions League standings as we approach the busy festive period of the season.

Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli were on the scoresheet on a memorable night for Mikel Arteta’s team.

Bayern had equalised after Timber’s opener, although Calafiori — on as a substitute — produced a stunning cross for Madueke to convert. From there, the Gunners did not look back.

After full time, Sky Italia (via Metro) lavished praise on the performance of the Italy international. One of the pundits on their panel was iconic former manager Capello, who spoke to Calafiori during an interview link, and compared him to Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos and Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly.

“You’re like a young Sergio Ramos, only left-footed,” Capello told the 23-year-old. “I’d put you in front of the back four — you’d be like Marcel Desailly, only with more quality on the ball.”

In response, Calafiori played down the comparisons to two of the game’s great former defenders. “Maybe we should go slow with the comparisons,” he said.

Since arriving from Bologna in the summer of 2024, Calafiori has been an excellent signing for Arsenal.

Injuries disrupted his debut season, although this term he has cemented his place in the team as the regular left-back. He has played a crucial role in what has become the meanest defence in European football and, as shown by his assist on Wednesday, is a threat going forward too.

So far, he has played primarily as a centre-back and a left-back for club and country. But if Arsenal were in a pinch in holding midfield, you’d back Calafiori to cope in that position as well.