Arsenal have not been shy in splashing the cash during Mikel Arteta’s reign and the Gunners are closing in on another big-money signing this summer.
After an incredibly impressive campaign with Bologna in Serie A, helping the Italian outfit qualify for the Champions League, Riccardo Calafiori is set to become Arteta’s latest signing. The 22-year-old, who also shone at Euro 2024 despite Italy’s subpar displays, is expected to make the move to north London in the near future.
Naturally, Calafiori’s arrival will be met with significant fanfare. The young centre-back is one of Europe’s brightest starlets and capable of playing left-back, too. A strong addition to the Premier League’s sternest defence, supporters will be understandably excited by his imminent transfer.
But what squad number will Calafiori don during his debut Arsenal season? Let’s take a look.
Riccardo Calafiori shirt number history
Riccardo Calafiori wore number five at Euro 2024 / Image Photo Agency/GettyImages
Despite being just 22, Calafiori has already represented four clubs throughout his career. The defender rose through the ranks at Roma, initially donning the number 61 jersey as an academy graduate. However, after two seasons of making appearances for the senior squad, the youngster was promoted to the number 13.
Calafiori was shipped out on loan during the 2021/22 campaign to fellow Italian side Genoa, where he was handed the number 16 jersey – the inverse of his original 61 shirt. Following that season, he made the permanent switch to Basel, where he donned the number 33.
That’s the number he retained when he swiftly made the move back to Italy to represent Bologna and it’s the number he will vacate when he eventually seals his Arsenal switch. Having worn four different squad numbers over the years, they have all contained the numbers one, three or six.
For Italy, things have been much simpler. Having only recently broken into the team, he had the number 5 jersey on his back for Euro 2024.
Arsenal numbers available to Riccardo Calafiori
Well, the good news for Calafiori is that he will have plenty of choice when it comes to his new Arsenal squad number. In fact, all four of the numbers he has worn at club level throughout his career – 13, 16, 33 and 61 – are available at the Emirates Stadium.
The number 61 is technically occupied by academy player Zane Monlouis, but he would have no problem taking it should he make the unlikely decision to return to that number.
However, there are fewer options for Calafiori should he want to mix things up at Arsenal. The lowest number available to the Italian is actually the number 13, so it may make sense for him to don it once more in England. Having said that, the Gunners’ last five incumbents of that number have all been goalkeepers.
Moving up the list, 17 and 23 are also free for Calafiori to claim. The former was vacated by Cedric Soares after his recent departure, while the latter has most recently been worn by Albert Sambi Lokonga, who recently moved to Sevilla on loan. The highest number worn in the first-team squad at present is Declan Rice’s 41.
With his fondness for the number 33, that seems his most likely choice at present.
