Arsenal boss Arteta drops Calafiori striker hint as Manchester United loom

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hinted Riccardo Calafiori could play striker this weekend.

The Gunners who are still without a recognised striker face a tough trip to Manchester United on Sunday, with Arteta noting the performance of the Italian defender during the Champions League victory over PSV, which included the 23-year-old scoring a late goal in the rout. 

 “He certainly has that capacity to flow in areas that for a defender is very unusual," said Arteta.

“That is something that caught my eye."

"The other is that he is very chaotic, very unpredictable to play against.”

Arteta was speaking on Friday morning after his side thrashed PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Netherlands earlier this week.  

The Gunners boss reflected on the astonishing victory, saying: "It was a great night for us in an important competition that we have hope in.

"The manner we did it in will lift everyone. Now it is about trying to replicate a great performance on Sunday."

Arteta also spoke about replacing youngster Lewis Myles-Skelly in the 35th minute in the Phillips Stadion, after the 18-year-old picked up an early yellow card, prior to being fortunate to stay on the pitch, with a second challenge shortly afterwards. 

“It was quite clear that there was a liability there so I didn’t want to take any risks. It was down to me to manage the game," said Arteta, adding: "A lesson for him to learn and we will help and support him.

"He is very intelligent and extremely demanding of himself. He is a perfectionist and he is here to learn."