Former Arsenal and Inter striker Lukas Podolski is satisfied with Riccardo Calafiori’s first appearances for the Gunners, but even if the Italy international ‘must improve’ the Premier League giants are ‘not clueless’ and ‘know what they are doing.’
Calafiori quickly became a regular Arsenal starter following a €50m transfer from Bologna last summer.
He scored his first goal on his full Arsenal debut against Manchester City in September, but he is currently out of action with a knee injury.
Calafiori transfer: Ex-Arsenal star insists Gunners ‘not clueless’
“I like him; he’s started really well,” Podolski told Gazzetta.
“Arsenal are not a clueless club. They know what they are doing, and if they’ve spent this money, it is because they believe in the player. Honestly, I must say that he’s not at his highest levels; he must improve, but it’s just a matter of time.”
Calafiori is expected to return to action for Arsenal between the end of November and the start of December. The 22-year-old has ten appearances with the Gunners this season.
His injury will force him to the sidelines for Italy’s Nations League games against France and Belgium this month.
During the same interview, Podolski said he prefers his ex-Arsenal teammate Mikel Arteta over Simone Inzaghi, although the Gunners can’t rely on a strong centre-forward like Inter’s Marcus Thuram.