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GFX Riccardo Calafiori Mikel Arteta Arsenal 2024Getty/GOAL/Arsenal

VIDEO: 'Is this real?' - Riccardo Calafiori in disbelief as new Arsenal signing greets Mikel Arteta and gets round of applause from team-mates in first meeting after £42m transfer

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  • Arteta welcomes Calafiori
  • Defender introduced to team-mates
  • Embraces new manager
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Having completed a £42 million ($54m) transfer from Bologna, Calafiori was formally introduced to the rest of the Arsenal squad by Arteta as the manger led a presentation outlining the objectives for the coming week of pre-season. In a one-on-one moment, the Italian defender asked the coach "Is this real?" as they embraced each other, with Arteta replying: "Finally, it's real".

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  • WATCH THE CLIP

  • WHAT RICCARDO CALAFIORI SAID

    Calafiori was given a round of applause by his team-mates before he was invited to say a few words by Arteta. He said: "Of course I’m really happy to be here. I waited a lot. I hope we are going to do something great this year. Just this. Thank you."

  • Riccardo-Calafiori(C)Getty Images

    WHAT NEXT?

    After a break since Euro 2024, Calafiori should be ready to go as Arsenal's pre-season tour continues. They face one further game in the United States against Liverpool in Philadelphia, before two Emirates Stadium friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon next month.