Top News

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has offered a vivid account of the ecstatic scenes inside the dressing room following the club’s long-awaited Premier League title win. The Italian international revealed that Manchester City’s costly 1-1 draw with Bournemouth triggered an instant outburst of joy, putting an end to Arsenal’s 22-year wait for domestic glory.

Italian star reflects on a dream come true

Calafiori spoke candidly about the scale of Arsenal’s title celebrations as the team prepares for the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain this weekend. The Gunners were officially confirmed as Premier League champions on May 19, after City failed to secure maximum points at the Vitality Stadium. Having made 26 appearances during the historic campaign, Calafiori later lifted the trophy following a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on the final day, finishing seven points clear at the top.

Calafiori recalls the dressing room eruption

The adaptable defender described the exact instant Mikel Arteta’s squad realised they had finally sealed the title. Speaking to La Repubblica, Calafiori said: “Winning the Premier League was one of my childhood dreams. It was unbelievable, especially considering how the season unfolded.

“The best moment came when the final whistle blew in the Bournemouth-Manchester City match. We all went crazy — players, staff, everyone. We were together, congratulating one another, feeling a huge weight lift off our shoulders. The title had eluded Arsenal for 22 years. Walking through the city afterwards, I understood how deeply it meant to our supporters.”

Reflecting on his quick adjustment to English football under Arteta’s leadership, Calafiori continued: “When I first spoke to Arteta at the start of the season, I realised how much faith he had in me. It wasn’t something I took for granted, I honestly didn’t expect it. I came here to challenge myself beyond my comfort zone. Adapting was tough — it’s a very demanding league — but I’d tell many young Italians to take that step.”

Arteta earns praise for team’s chemistry

Calafiori credited Arsenal’s strong internal unity to the club’s long-term vision and careful workload management. Since Mikel Arteta’s appointment in 2019, the north London club had endured several near misses before finally lifting the trophy this season. Comparing Serie A with the Premier League, Calafiori explained: “In Italy, it’s almost impossible to give a manager time if he doesn’t win immediately.

“At Arsenal, the incredible chemistry we have is thanks to Arteta and the club’s patience. Personally, I had never stayed at one club for two seasons before. When I arrived, I was exhausted and thought, ‘I’ll never make it here.’ The difference lies in the scheduling and workload; here we play around sixty matches a year, so training focuses heavily on recovery. The goal is to always be at peak condition for each match — it’s a mindset thing.”

European final challenge on the horizon

The former AS Roma talent will represent Italy as the sole national in Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final in Budapest. Looking ahead to the monumental clash with Paris Saint-Germain, Calafiori said: “I’ll have the opportunity to proudly represent my country and aim to win the trophy, especially in a year when we didn’t qualify for the World Cup.

“I used to play Champions League finals on PlayStation with my best friend, Nicolo Cesaroni, who will be in the stands to watch me. For now, I’m calm, but I know emotions will rise once I’m on the flight. Moments like these come once in a lifetime — they must be seized.”