“He is a monster” - Darren Bent heaps praises on ‘brilliant’ Arsenal star after impressive start to the season 

Darren Bent has lavished praise on Riccardo Calafiori for his performances for Arsenal so far this season. The pundit has hailed the Italian as a brilliant defender, adept at different facets of the game.

The Gunners brought in a few reinforcements in the summer, preparing for another title charge in the Premier League this season. The north Londoners signed David Raya and Mikel Merino on permanent deals while bringing in Chelsea star Raheem Sterling and Bournemouth's Neto on loan as well.

Arsenal secured Calafiori's services from Bologna for a reported £42 million. The Italy international, who impressed at the 2024 European Championships, has made eight appearances across competitions for the Gunners so far. He scored an extraordinary goal in their 2-2 draw against Manchester City last month.

While he played as a center-half for Italy at the Euros and for Bologna last season, Calafiori has been deployed as a left-back by Mikel Arteta. The 22-year-old has certainly shown versatility in defense, and Bent feels he's been in excellent form for the Gunners this term.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Premier League striker said (as quoted by TBR Football):

“When he has played for Arsenal, he has been brilliant. Yeah, he has. Defensively, one-v-one battles, can play left side of centre-half, can play left-back, comfortable in possession. And he was good against PSG as well. He is a monster.”

The Gunners will face Bournemouth in the Premier League on 19 October after the international break.

"There's an argument that he's Arsenal's most important player" - Darren Bent lavishes praise on Kai Havertz

Darren Bent has admitted that Arsenal star Kai Havertz has proven him wrong with his form for the club since his arrival last year. The pundit lavished praise on the Germany international, whom he believes could arguably be the club's most important player.

Havertz arrived at the Emirates last summer in a reported £65 million move from Chelsea. Despite attracting some criticism after a difficult start to his career in north London, the versatile forward turned things around and racked up 13 goals and seven assists in the league.

His performances for the Gunners have changed the minds of many of his critics, including Bent, who admitted he initially couldn't understand Havertz's signing. He said (via One Football):

“I was one, and I hold my hands up and say I thought £65 million on Kai Havertz, a guy who previously the season before scored seven goals and got one assist, I said, 'absolutely not, £65m? Come on'.

"But since then he has been given the confidence by Mikel Arteta and he has been to a point where… there's an argument that he's Arsenal's most important player, and that includes [Bukayo] Saka in that as well.”