That’s fine, I believe he was signed to play much more than he did and MLS wouldn’t have seen anywhere near the minutes if not for Calafiori not being able to consistently stay fit
Early in the season around September I think we had Calafiori-Gabriel-Saliba-Timber.
Definitely believe that Arteta’s original intention. Ben White was left on the bench against City which at the time was a massive game.
Ben White seemed to be the player that would lose his spot when everyone is fit imho.
That said, Calafiori is terrible at defending in full back positions. He served much better as CB when he was deployed the other week. I don’t see much of a future for him here with his injuries.
It’s a shame that good players like Kiwior will probably have to leave, whilst unavailable ones get to stay collecting a wage.
Calafiori
Fabio Vieira
Tomiyasu
Circa £98m
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Some amazing insight right there
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I highly doubt we’ll see much of an improvement in his fitness record next season.
It’s no coincidence that the one year he was used exclusively as a CB featured both his best fitness record and his best form.
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I’d be disappointed if the club chose, as some have advocated, to sell such an obvious talent based on his fitness record this season without giving him a go at centre back which is clearly his position.
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I don’t see how Cala playing in CB next season will suddenly alleviate his injury proneness though. Football’s a high-impact sport, he’ll suffer more setbacks regardless of where he’s deployed because his initial injury some years ago was a bad one.
It’s unfortunate, but I think if a strong offer comes in then we should cut our losses whilst his stock is still relatively high.
Who does he get in ahead of at CB to get a sample size large enough to judge his fitness?
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I was just about to point that out.
Kiwior struggled to get minutes (event went 14 PL games without a single minute) until Gabriel got injured.
On top of it, for Calafiori to capitalise on Gabriel’s absence, he himself needs to be fit.
So Arteta can’t play him as a CB because we have far superior players in those positions.
and for him to be fit when the opportunities arises, Arteta can’t play him as LB because apparently he tends to get injured playing in that position.
So Arteta has to reduce him to a backup defender who was purchased for 50m euros. This will not work out.
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Maybe Gabriel and Saliba don’t play every game. The season is long. And as we’ve seen this season, games became available for everyone. And I don’t see that the Gabriel - Saliba partnership has to be invincible, Saliba especially seems like he could do with the pressure of another CB ready to take his place if his form dips.
Fair, it’s just Arteta is not known to rotate.
Kiwior is highly capable defender but Arteta wouldn’t give him minutes unless he is forced to.
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He’s got a higher ceiling than Gabriel at CB he’s just not ready to replace him yet.
I do wonder if the rumours about Gabriel to Saudi will become true this summer or next. I can see us using him as someone we can cash in on providing Kiwior / Calafiori step up.
And like @Leper said Saliba could definitely do with the pressure. He didn’t exactly have an outstanding campaign despite the continued media love in for him
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As great as Gabriel and Saliba are, they are humans not machines. It would be great to see Calafiori starting games at CB next year. The big 2, start the big games but Leeds at home or one of the other printed clubs? Get Riccardo in.
Even if we have a fully-fit 25-man squad, I don’t ever see Arteta rotating 
That first 11 will get flogged like a horse till they’re dead in the desert before their deputy gets on the field. That’s the Arteta way lol.