Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta drops Riccardo Calafiori selection hint as duo shine in Lyon win

Arsenal concluded their pre-season schedule on a winning note after recording a comfortable 2-0 win over Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday. But the highlight for the fans was watching their new signing Riccardo Calafiori pull on the red shirt for the first time.

The Italian defender started on the bench as Mikel Arteta fielded a strong lineup, with the new Premier League season only six days away. But it was a day to remember for Calafiori as he made his Arsenal debut in the second half and capped it with a victory and clean sheet.

First-half goals from William Saliba and Gabriel were enough to hand Arsenal an easy victory, which probably should have been a larger scoreline after Bukayo Saka hit the post. 

Express Sport assess the main talking points from the game.

Califiori selection hint after debut

He was made to wait by his manager, but with 64 minutes on the clock, Arsenal’s £42million signing from Bologna stepped out onto the Emirates Stadium pitch for the first time. The ovation was grand for the No. 33 as the crowd stood and applauded for the Italian when he replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko.

With just over 25 minutes to get a feel for the game, it offered an indication that the 23-year-old isn’t quite ready to play from the start for Arsenal just yet – and with Takehiro Tomiyasu out, Zinchenko should get the nod to start at Wolves.

But Calafiori wasted no time in making impression, chasing the ball tirelessly and earning plaudits from his manager as he made strong but fair challenges on the left. Those flashes appeared to suggest he will quickly adapt to the robust nature of English football in no time, and it won’t be long until he makes his Premier League bow.

Set pieces leave Lyon puzzled

Arsenal might not always play the most eye-catching football but one could easily argue they are the most pragmatic side in the Premier League, such is the variance in their style of play.

Whether it’s possession-based football on the edge of the box, positional play out from the back or counter-attacking at pace, Arteta’s men find a way to freshen things up and keep their opponents guessing.

The first two goals arrived from set pieces, with William Saliba heading home from eight minutes at the near post. Midway through the first half, Gabriel showed great determination to meet Rice’s corner and make it 2-0. On that occasion, it was the far post delivery that caused an issue for Lyon.

The Gunners have found ways to mix up their set-pieces, having also trialled short routines with Rice and Saka from either side. It reflects the work that goes into their well-rehearsed routines and the important role their coach Nicola Jover – in charge of all set-piece routines – plays in preparing the team.

Odegaard keeps Gunners ticking

While Declan Rice assisted both Arsenal goals, it was their midfield metronome Martin Odegaard who kept the Gunners ticking with an impressive creative display. 

With Rice and Thomas Partey deployed deeper, Arteta released the Norwegian from the shackles and gave him the freedom to attack at will. He responded by threading passes through to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and nearly got a goal for himself in the first half.

The playmaker was guilty at some points last season of failing to deliver in the bigger games, but he looks refreshed and ready to help Arsenal again in their quest for Premier League glory.

In the No. 10 role, Odegaard was the best player of the pitch and his link-up with Saka in particular was a frightening exhibition for the Everton defence to watch over next week.

Havertz thrives as a No. 9

If there was any debate heading into the season about which player is best-equipped to lead Arsenal’s frontline, Kai Havertz may have just finished it.

The German didn’t get on the scoresheet but Mikel Arteta knows football is more than just about goals, even for strikers. Havertz led the line well and was willing to press.

Having the luxury of bringing on Gabriel Jesus is something that the Spaniard will relish, given his dynamic playing style and ability to play across the front three. But with his strongest line-up out there, Arteta made it clear Havertz is his main man.

The 24-year-old used the ball superbly throughout the game, with one highlight a no-look pass to set Gabriel Martinelli in on goal before the Brazilian overran the ball. Using him as a clear focal point in attack must be the way forward for Arsenal if signing a striker is off the table this summer.