Arsenal star says they are back on track but admits: 'I’m still really disappointed and sad'

Riccardo Calafiori says Arsenal are looking like themselves again after one of the hardest fortnights of his career.

The Gunners got their season “back on track” with an impressive Champions League win at Sporting Lisbon to give themselves a huge chance of reaching their first-ever back-to-back semi finals. But that came on the back of the worst two games of the season after Arsenal lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City and were then knocked out of the FA Cup at Southampton .

And on top of that, Calafiori suffered the heartbreak of losing a World Cup play-off with Italy after they suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Italy have failed to reach the World Cup for the third time in a row which has only heightened Calafiori’s determination to ensure this season finishes in glory with Arsenal.

Calafiori admitted the mood has been low after those back-to-back defeats but the win at Sporting has restored their confidence and belief ready for the title run-in as they face a crunch game with Bournemouth on Saturday.

Arsenal defender Calafiori said: “To win is the best way to get back on track. That was a clear demonstration of our identity which maybe we lost a little bit in the last couple of games.

“But we came back as I like, I recognise my team again, you know. It’s a nice game to come back and now we can enjoy it but we are already thinking about Saturday. We are happy.

“Last couple of weeks, I would say, have been tough but that is the beauty of football. It is 100 per cent better now. This chance to play three days later rather than just stay home and think about it.”

Calafiori even admitted that his heartbreak with the national team may have given him even more determination to help Arsenal win trophies.

"Yeah, maybe. Maybe in a way, yes,” he said. “But as I say, I’m still really disappointed and sad. Of course I’m really disappointed but I’ve got a lot to play for with Arsenal and I’m really enjoying it.”

Calafiori also says that Arsenal have been made even more determined to prove some of their doubters wrong after having their mentality questioned after those two setbacks.

They looked fired up in Lisbon and their 1-0 win over Sporting makes them clear favourites to go through to the semi finals with the return leg to come at the Emirates next Wednesday.

Arsenal also have the chance to go 12 points clear at the top if they beat Bournemouth on Saturday because they play 24 hours before Manchester City go to Chelsea .

That game is huge for Arsenal but, whereas before the Sporting win it was building into a nerve-shredding affair, they will now have a bit more confidence.

Calafiori added: “I don’t think about what people say too much. I just know they love to speak about us. It’s obvious that it’s a massive club with so much history that they love to speak about us. But it doesn’t change anything for me.

“Every game is - hopefully - really important now until the end of April and also hopefully the end of May. It’s a completely different game against Bournemouth.

“We will play at our stadium, our home, we know how to play in the Premier League and now we must rest and then think about Saturday again.”

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Calafiori did laugh about the bizarre training methods Arsenal used ahead of the Sporting game. They were filmed dribbling while holding pens and holding the ball between their heads.

When asked whether he has ever warmed up for a Champions League game like that before, he added: “It was my first time! We are always learning some new things.

“I think it was about chemistry and being focused on many things at the same time and chemistry with your teammates.”

Meanwhile, Calafiori says David Raya - one of the heroes of Lisbon - is one of the best in the business and helps the defence feel “really secure.”

He added: “We have a good relationship with him and I think he’s going to help us through until the end of the season. He has already played a lot of games and I feel really secure with him. I think both with his feet and in the goal, his reflexes are unbelievable.”

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