Despite playing few minutes for Arsenal thus far, ESPN analyst Mark Ogden has called Riccardo Calafiori the summer’s top acquisition.

ESPN chose to hold a Way Too Early Premier League Awards program a few months into the 2024–2025 season, essentially selecting the season’s champions and losers.

Mark Ogden selected Riccardo Calafiori as his summer acquisition, claiming that the club has felt the impact of both his presence and absence.

“The impact he had when he did play…” Ogden started. “I believed he added a genuine level of talent, strengthened Arsenal’s defense, and resolved the issue. They have missed him, you know?

“Arsenal has missed him where they are currently. I must admit that there haven’t been many high-profile additions this season, and I did find it difficult to cover this void.

“However, when healthy, I felt Calafiori was a good addition to Arsenal.”

Calafiori’s comeback in that game did little to damage Ogden’s reputation, which he was creating in advance of Arsenal’s game against Nottingham Forest over the weekend.

The 22-year-old, who just recovered from a knee injury, played 67 minutes and contributed to Arsenal’s victory and clean sheet.

The club had held two clean sheets in the Champions League and one in the League Cup since mid-September, but this was their first in the league. Calafiori can also take credit for starting both of those Champions League matches.

The primary goal should be to get a run of games together for the time being, but Arsenal will hope that Calafiori helps the squad regain their defensive solidity while also contributing something moving forward.