Calafiori opens door to Roma exit amid Arsenal bench role
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Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has dropped a major hint about his future, openly admitting he dreams of a return to his former club Roma.
“I’d Like to Return”: Calafiori Opens Door to Roma Exit Amid Arsenal Bench Role
The Italy international joined the Gunners from Bologna for £42 million in July 2024. Despite a promising start to his career in North London, the 22-year-old has found himself sidelined in recent weeks.
Calafiori has made 54 appearances for Arsenal, contributing four goals and five assists. However, he has slipped down the pecking order since returning from a muscle injury.
With Piero Hincapie impressing on loan at left-back and academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly also competing for minutes, Calafiori did not even leave the bench for recent Premier League wins over Tottenham and Chelsea.
In a candid interview, Calafiori revealed his emotional connection to Roma, where he started his career before a move to FC Basel in 2022.
“I’d like to return to Roma sooner or later,” Calafiori stated.
“Obviously, we can’t plan our career now, but yes, I can imagine it.”
He reflected on his departure from the Italian capital, suggesting his exit felt unfinished.
“Also, because I left halfway. Everything started out really well: goals, I even had the chance to play a bit more.
Then, for various reasons, I first went on loan and then they sold me. It definitely didn’t go as I’d hoped.”
Calafiori also admitted the allure of celebrating in front of Roma’s passionate fans—the Curva Sud—remains a strong motivation for a potential comeback.
Currently, breaking back into Arteta’s starting XI looks difficult. Hincapie is expected to make his loan move permanent for £45m, while the Gabriel–Saliba partnership blocks a move to centre-back.
Calafiori’s contract runs until 2029, making an immediate exit unlikely. However, with competition increasing and playing time decreasing, the defender’s future in London could come under serious scrutiny by 2027.