‘North London forever’ – Italy’s Calafiori already settling in at Arsenal – video

Arsenal's Italian defender #33 Riccardo Calafiori reacts during the pre-season friendly football match for the Emirates Cup final between Arsenal and and Lyon, at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 11, 2024. (Photo by BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP) (Photo by BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP via Getty Images)

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori is already settling in to his new surroundings at the Emirates, as he was spotted singing along to Arsenal’s pre-match anthem ‘The Angel’ before Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brighton in the Premier League.  

‘“North London forever, whatever the weather,” the former Bologna defender could be seen mouthing as he took his place on the bench before kick-off against Brighton. 

The Angel, commonly referred to by the first line of its chorus, ‘North London Forever’, was introduced by Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta to bring an extra level of energy and atmosphere before matches at the Emirates. 

Calafiori settling in at Arsenal 

The 22-year-old officially joined Arsenal in a permanent deal from Bologna earlier this summer at a reported fee of around €50m (£42m). 

He is yet to start for the Gunners in the Premier League, or in any of the later pre-season friendlies this summer, but he has emerged off the bench in the last two games against Brighton and Aston Villa. 

He has been selected for Luciano Spalletti’s latest Italy squad for Nations League fixtures against France and Israel on Friday and Monday respectively, and will return to England next week to prepare for a highly-anticipated North London Derby against Tottenham.