Riccardo Calafiori previews Arsenal's Champions League Round of 16 second leg clash with Bayer Leverkusen. The Italian spoke on Max Dowman and his incredible block against Everton.
-TIMESTAMPS-
00:00 - Intro.
00:12 - Best block of your career?: Yeah I think so.
00:33 - Manner of win: So happy for the team to win.
00:58 - Dowman: so young, mature. He has everything.
01:36 - Advice?: Yes we've given him.
02:00 - pressure: March to the next few months is the best part of the season. You get to this point. It's the dream to be here.
02:37 - Heinze: I like him as a person, I think I can learn so much from him. He gave to me and the defenders so much advice.
03:15 - Fully fit?: I always trust my body. Last season both MCLs in a strange way. Until December I felt amazing. I'd love to always be fit but sometimes you have to accept.
04:12 - Depth in defence: we're all friends. I love them. And you obviously compete for a place.
04:46 - Attacking position: when I feel free on the pitch. I try to help the team. Mikel gives me some freedom. We have to remember I'm a defender.
05:40 - body on the line to win: it's a big part of our mentality. We're talking about details that can change games.
06:05 - The block: I was just looking at the guy shooting. We love to defend.
06:40 - defending your house: so important. When we get clean sheets we win.
07:08 - expressing yourself: trying to find the right time and spot.
07:30 - Not a frustrated striker?: I can help the team in both ways.
08:00 - Playing in all four competitions: It's the best part of the season. We wanted to be in this position.
08:30 - Cup final: a good step for us. Good motivation.
09:00 - squad: when you get this group and relationship. We love to chat in the dressing room, help each other.
09:43 - Go out with teammates?: I like to talk with everyone. When you're on the pitch you need to know your teammates.
10:18 - Block means it's meant to be: i feel it's when big things will happen.
10:35 - How much more energy do you have now: I was so happy, the second goal we ran the whole pitch. Felt like we were fighting the fans, but in a good way.
11:26 - Arteta granting individual licenses: I'm just really good at doing what I do. It's not proper freedom, if I'm there someone else is in my position. It's structured.
12:14 - I understand the game much more now since joining.
12:43 - Gabriel block last week: what I did on Saturday was new. Gabby is the best at it.
13:13 - Multilingual: depends who's playing. Most of the back speaks Spanish, heinze's spanish is better than English.
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By HaytersTV
March 16, 2026
