100% tackles, 100% ground duels: £42m Arsenal star dazzles on Int'l duty, start him vs Southampton

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori delivered an impressive performance for Italy during their 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo yesterday.

The 23-year-old has had limited playing time with the Gunners during the back end of the season due to injuries and competition for places. Piero Hincapie has been the regular left-back.

Calafiori started on the left side of the back three for Italy last night. He had a solid outing for the Azzurri.

The former Bologna man completed 55 passes, with five long balls. Calafiori won 100 percent of his tackles (3/3) and ground duels (3/3). He was brilliant with his aerial challenges too (4/6).

The versatile defender also made four clearances and two recoveries, and had one shot on target.

Despite starting in central defence, Calafiori made several runs into the opposition half. He played the full 90 minutes unscathed, which should please the Arsenal faithful, given his injury record.

Italy have a huge World Cup play-off final against Bosnia & Herzegovina on the road on Tuesday. Calafiori is poised to start and looks on course to play the entire 90 minutes once more.

The £42 million signing has fallen behind Hincapie in the pecking order for the left-back spot at Arsenal, but he had a lively cameo against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final off the bench.

Calafiori had two shots on goal, one on target and another hitting the woodwork. He had a passing accuracy of 100 percent. He played only 25 minutes, but should have come on much earlier.

We believe the Italian should start at left-back for the Gunners when they face high-flying Championship outfit Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final at St Mary’s after the international break.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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