Star Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has revealed why he didn't text Federico Chiesa after the winger scored his first goal in the Premier League for Liverpool this weekend. The Italian forward was called from the bench in the 82nd minute during the game against Bournemouth on Saturday, August 16.
Liverpool were tied 2-2 in the game, but Chiesa scored the goal in the 88nd minute, before Mohammed Salah sealed a 4-2 victory. Surprisingly, the winger had a tough debut campaign after joining Liverpool from Juventus in the summer of 2024.
In an interaction with Sky Sports Italia after Sunday's win, the 23-year-old wished Chiesa well this season.
“I can send it now. He had a tough season last year, and we never spoke, so I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon when things are going well,” said Calafiori.
He added:
“We knew each other during the latest Euros. We didn’t talk much, but he’s a very good guy, and I hope he can play consistently. Maybe not too much, because we want to win the Premier League, but I hope to see him soon with the national team.”
Calafiori arrived at Arsenal from Bologna last summer in a reported £42 million deal.
Roy Keane believes Viktor Gyokeres will need time
After the Manchester United vs Arsenal game on Sky Sports, Roy Keane said that Viktor Gyokeres will need some time to adjust. The Red Devils icon thinks that short Pre-season with the new teammates has not benefited the striker and said:
"When you’re a big strong man like that and you do miss pre-season, sometimes for the bigger lads, the big units, he’s a big strong boy like an old-fashioned striker, you definitely need a bit more time to get up to speed. Sometimes the slighter lads are a bit sharper up there, but for the big lads it just takes a bit longer to get back in the swing of things."
Arsenal will lock horns with Leeds United at home next in the Premier League.