Arsenal star Calafiori nominated for Premier League Player of the Month

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Sam Wilson | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 10:46 AM ET

Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori has been nominated for Premier League Player of the Month for August, after a strong showing for Arsenal in the first three matches of the season.

The versatile Italian is among eight names on the shortlist for the award , alongside the likes of Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Hugo Ekitike.

Calafiori has been in fine form this season for the Gunners.

The 23-year-old scored the only goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 opening game victory against Manchester United before picking up two assists for Mikel Arteta’s side in their 5-0 win over Leeds the following week at the Emirates Stadium. The defender also put in a strong, but ultimately fruitless, performance against Liverpool as the Gunners fell to a late free-kick goal to lose 1-0 at Anfield.

Calafiori finally making his mark at Arsenal

Calafiori signed for Arsenal from Bologna last summer, joining the Premier League giants in a deal worth up to €50 million inclusive of add-ons.

The Italian had a mixed first season in the English capital, from the high of his wonder goal in the Gunners’ 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, to the lows of his knee and muscular injuries that saw him miss around half of the season.

Calafiori’s absence allowed for the dramatic rise of English starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly but with the Italian back to full fitness this season, the 23-year-old has so far displaced his 18-year-old teammate in Arteta’s starting XI.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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