Phil Jones suggests Arsenal did not play 22-year-old star in best position during recent game
Former Manchester United star Phil Jones believes Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori's best position is at center-back. The pundit feels that the Italy international seemed like a central defender even while deployed on the left flank in the Gunners' 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday (October 5).
The north Londoners have been in great form so far this season as they challenge Manchester City and Liverpool once again in the title race. Mikel Arteta's side are third in the league, level on points with the Cityzens but a point behind league leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal secured all three points against the Saints last weekend, courtesy of goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka. Calafiori started the fixture in his usual position under Arteta, left-back.
Jones, however, has offered the Spanish boss some advice on what he thinks Calafiori's best position is. The former Manchester United defender said (via TBR Football):
“I think Calafiori played at left-back the other day, didn’t he? To be fair, he actually looked the other day, even though I love him, he looked a centre-back playing left-back.”
Calafiori certainly can play as a center-half. The 22-year-old was used at the heart of a backline by Bologna boss Thiago Motta last season. He was also deployed as a center-back for Italy at the 2024 European Championships.
Calafiori has made eight appearances across competitions so far for Arsenal this term.
"He’s really impressing me" - Alan Shearer heaps praise on Arsenal star after Southampton win
Alan Shearer has hailed Arsenal star Kai Havertz for his performance after beating Southampton 3-1 in the Premier League last weekend. The pundit believes the German has been showing his potential as a No.9 with his recent form.
Havertz found his sixth goal of the season against Southampton, a hard-struck left-footed finish to equalize after Cameron Archer's opener. The 25-year-old's goal marked the beginning of a comeback victory for Arsenal as Martinelli and Saka netted once each.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer spoke highly of the former Chelsea star, praising the qualities he's shown as a center forward. The pundit said:
"Yeah, I think he’s really impressing me in terms of his performances and goals. He has been a real centre-forward, not just his goals, but his hold-up play, what he’s doing for the team, bringing players into the game, challenging for balls in the air when perhaps he knows he might not win them but trying to make it awkward for defenders, so I have been really really impressed with him this season."