(Credit: Prime Video Sport on X)

Aasif Rahman

Wed 5 March 2025 13:33, UK

Arsenal fans have reacted all but unanimously after Riccardo Calafiori’s performance against PSV in the Champions League.

Arsenal are now on the verge of reaching the quarter-finals after a commanding 7-1 victory over PSV in the first leg of the Round of 16.

Despite being without a recognised striker, Mikel Merino stepped up as a makeshift number nine, and Mikel Arteta‘s side delivered a dominant display.

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett pointed out that Myles Lewis-Skelly should have been sent off after several late challenges.

The youngster was substituted for Calafiori in the 35th minute with Arsenal already leading 3-0. Calafiori made his mark late on in the tie, scoring the final goal in the 7-1 rout.

While Ethan Nwaneri shared a message with Arsenal fans after his goal, it was the Italian full-back who captured the attention after his composed finish, especially during a time when Arsenal have been without a recognised striker.

Riccardo Calafiori shines as Arsenal face attacking crisis

Arteta’s side have been without a recognised number nine since both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were ruled out for the season, forcing Merino to step in as a striker.

Despite the situation, the Spaniard got on the scoresheet alongside Calafiori, but it was the Italian’s goal that stood out, as Arsenal made history by becoming the first team to score seven away goals in a Champions League knockout tie.

Martin Odegaard, who scored a brace, delivered a brilliant through ball with the outside of his foot for the full-back, who ran inside the defender and finished confidently with his weaker foot.

Calafiori had impressed Arsenal fans earlier in the season, but his place in the starting XI had recently been taken by Lewis-Skelly, who has performed well at left-back. However, his stunning finish in this game has led many to call for his inclusion in a different role.

Arsenal fans want Riccardo Calafiori to play as striker amid injury crisis

With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Havertz, and Jesus all injured, Arsenal supporters had urged the club to sign an attacker during the winter transfer window.

However, with no forward signed, Arteta has been forced to rely on internal solutions, placing his trust in 17-year-old Nwaneri and an out-of-form Raheem Sterling.

After Calafiori’s intelligent run behind the defence and his composed finish with his weaker foot, many fans are now calling for the Italian to play as a striker.

One fan even suggested that Calafiori “would do better as a striker than Merino” reflecting the belief that the full-back could provide a much-needed solution to Arsenal’s attacking woes.