San Daniele del Friuli used to be a cozy neighborhood trattoria in Highbury that was a popular spot for Arsenal’s players and management. Situated just a five-minute walk from the stadium’s grand entrance.
During Champions League nights, the trattoria extended its hours and patrons would warmly applaud as manager Arsene Wenger and vice-chairman David Dein popped in for a meal. Players like Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell, and Freddie Ljungberg would often join, freshening up after the game to relax with friends. The trattoria’s owners, two brothers who were fans of Udinese and Arsenal, treated everyone like family.
For quite some time, this was the strongest link between Arsenal and Italy.
The signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for up to £42million ($54m) signifies a significant moment for those with an Italian-Arsenal connection. It marks the first time the club has acquired an Italian player with star quality, someone who embodies the best traditions of Italian football (‘calcio’) with his peak years still ahead.
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It’s quite unusual that only a few noteworthy Italian players have joined Arsenal.
Italy may not export footballers at the level of France or Spain, but it still has a substantial presence in the Premier League beyond England since its inception.
Non-English nations by number of Premier League players
The Italian community in London has flourished since the 1800s, with areas like Islington and Camden being densely populated by Italians.
Perhaps the absence of an Italian manager or just a unique quirk prevented Arsenal from exploring that footballing path extensively.
Niccolo Galli was the initial Italian recruit at Arsenal, joining their academy in 1999 but tragically passing away in a moped accident at the age of 17.
Galli was Arsenal’s first Italian player (John Walton/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Arturo Lupoli, who arrived in 2004, was part of Arsenal’s ‘project youth’ and Cesc Fabregas emerged as a standout from that era.
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After a considerable gap, Vito Mannone and later Jorginho were the subsequent Italians to represent Arsenal until the recent signing of Calafiori.