Arsenal slammed for signing ‘waste of cash’ as Mikel Arteta advised £42m switch a blunder
Arsenal splurged £42m on signing Italian left-back Riccardo Calafiori last summer but former midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes the Gunners should have spent the money elsewhere
Emmanuel Petit has blasted Arsenal for splurging £42m on Riccardo Calafiori, hinting they’ve dropped the ball by not investing in a much-needed striker.
The Italian left-back made a hefty £42m transfer to the Gunners from Bologna following his eye-catching antics at Euro 2024. Despite being hampered with calf and knee setbacks, Calafiori has clocked up 16 showings this season – stepping up as Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have been side-lined with injuries.
However, Petit’s not sold on the move, arguing that Arsenal’s hefty outlay should’ve been aimed elsewhere, after they again showed their failings in front of goal in their FA Cup defeat at home to Manchester United.
Speaking with Casino Utan Spelpaus, he said: “They should have addressed that [lack of strikers] in the last transfer window. They should have bought a striker.
“I know that they extended the quality of the squad with a couple of players, but they added to positions they were well covered in. They signed Riccardo Calafiori, but they already had two or three players that could play at left back.
“I’m a big fan of Calafiori but when you look at it, when you look at the young guy Lewis-Skelly, he’s doing so well, and Zinchenko is on the bench most of the time, so they had that part of the pitch covered.
The former Gunner questioned why Arsenal didn’t sign a top-class striker last summer, reports the Mirror. Petit said: “I can understand that when you play every three days and you have to compete in every competition, that you need squad depth, but the striker position was a priority.
“I don’t know why Arsenal didn’t go for a proper striker last summer. Arsenal won’t be able to bring in the top, top quality striker they desire in January.”
Petit continued: “They won’t be able to do it. I know they have some wingers and strikers on their shopping list, I know the fans are desperate to see someone coming in who can convert all the chances that the team creates, but it’s not going to happen in January. The January market is a very difficult market to shop in.”
The club have already been active in January – but for another defensive star. Mikel Arteta’s side are nearing a deal for Real Sociedad’s defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has a £51m release clause in his contract with the Spanish club, but he is not expected to join until the summer.
Arsenal may now focus on signing a new forward, especially after Gabriel Jesus’ injury setback. The Brazilian is expected to miss the rest of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury.
