The best attacking defender in Europe? Arsenal star's INSANE numbers this season

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 2 Nov 2025 08:59 GMT
4 min read

Riccardo Calafiori has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season as Arsenal pull away at the top of the Premier League.

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The Gunners are now seven points clear going into Sunday’s matches after their 2-0 win at Burnley on Saturday.

Current ETV

Riccardo Calafiori

D (CL)

Arsenal

Riccardo Calafiori

D (CL)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€44.3M - €54.2M

Not only has the Arsenal left back impressed defensively - with Mikel Arteta’s team conceding just three goals in 10 games - he has been even more impressive offensively.

Indeed, his attacking stats are so good there is an argument to say that Calafiori is currently the best attacking defender in the Premier League. Perhaps, Europe.

Calafiori’s incredible attacking stats are so

As sourced by Sky Sports, Calafiori has had an incredible 18 shots this season in the Premier League. Only Viktor Gyokeres has more for Arsenal with 20.

He has the third highest xG for the Gunners at 1.97xG.

He also has had the sixth most touches in the opposition box this season.

He has three goal contributions in the Premier League and having played all 10 of Arsenal’s games is now indispensable for Arteta.

Calafiori joined Arsenal from Bologna for €45 million in the summer of 2024as one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe.

However, after a bright start, Calafiori fell down the pecking order in his first season as he increasingly struggled with injuries.

Calafiori had five separate injuries, seeing him miss 28 games in total for club and country in 2024-25.

Calafiori saw his path at centre back blocked by the formidable partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba.

Meanwhile, at left back the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly saw him struggle for a spot there.

However, this season he has made the left back position his own with a series of outstanding performances - particularly from an offensive standpoint.

Calafiori was one of the breakout stars of the Serie A season in 2023-24, playing a key role in Bologna’s shock qualification for the Champions League.

He was converted that season from a left back to a centre back by former Bologna manager Thiago Motta.

The defender also enjoyed a brilliant Euro 2024 group stage, setting up Mattia Zaccagni’s memorable 98th minute equaliser for Italy against Croatia.