A STEAMY slow-motion video of Riccardo Calafiori giving an interview has sent Arsenal fans into meltdown.
The Italian defender, who arrived in the summer, has been hailed as Gunners supporters’ new “man crush” after the video circulated on Tik Tok and Instagram.
The Arsenal faithful were able to take their minds off the drab 1-1 draw with Brighton by watching their Italian heartthrob in his post-match interview.
In the video 22-year-old Calafiori was focused on Arsenal’s battle with Liverpool in the title-race.
Not that Arsenal fans will have noticed, with Stevie Robinson writing on Tik Tok: “Man crush Monday has come a day early.”
One said: “Aura man” while AFTAYOUTH added: “Stop it right now.”
Sarah said on Instagram: “Dear lord” while Andre added: “Te amo mi amor”.
Connor wasn’t convinced though, writing: “Shame he’s a woeful footballer.”
Calafiori’s good looks even caught the attention of Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham.
One supporter wrote under the video: “Don’t let these women get their hands on Lucas Bergvall” in reference to Spurs’ blonde-haired Swedish 18-year-old midfielder.
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To which one Arsenal fan hit back, saying: “Nobody cares about Tottenham, don’t worry.”
Calafiori caught the eye while playing for Italy at Euro 2024 in Germany before switching to Arsenal in a deal worth £42million from Bologna.
Ahead of his move to North London there was speculation swirling around his relationship status with his then girlfriend Benedetta Boeme.
A post on social media said to have been shared by Boeme claimed the move to Arsenal had been confirmed and also announced the pair had broken up.
The original post said to have come from Boeme said: “Many of you have been asking what’s been going on in my life lately, so 1 decided to finally share it with you.
“Riccardo and I are no longer together at the moment. I don’t know if we will get through, but I doubt it.
“I needed some time to process everything that happened over the past 3-4 days. I still need time.
“Thanks to everyone who showed me the video circulating on TikTok this week.
“I appreciate it, it was important for me to know the truth. I’ve watched it countless times, searching for a reason to forgive and forget, but I couldn’t.
“We talked about it, but I am still uncertain of the answers to my questions.
“It was a difficult decision, one we were considering for days. Neither of us wanted this, but what’s done is done and I can’t help it but want to run away from all this.
“I will not tolerate any kind of hate towards me or him. I wish him all the best as he joins Arsenal. He has all my support.
“And if any of my followers feel they don’t want to continue following me now that he’s not around, feel free to unfollow. Thank you for understanding.”
But Boeme took to her Instagram account to to clarify the situation, saying the statement was from a fake account and not made by her.
She wrote: “I am forced to write here that I have no TikTok profile!! Someone is pretending to be me and writing things that are not true!
“This is my only social media account. I have never talked about anything and I never will.
“I kindly ask whoever opened the TikTok profile pretending to be me and writing personal and delicate things, which then get reported as articles in the media, to immediately close the profile, otherwise I will take legal action.”
Despite refuting the original post, all photos of the couple together have since been removed from Boeme’s Instagram account and the pair do not follow each other on the social media platform.
Benedetta went viral last May when she gatecrashed one of Calafiori’s interviews after Bologna completed their surprise qualification to the upcoming season’s Champions League.
Calafiori was speaking to a female reporter for DAZN Italia when Benedetta appeared from out of nowhere into the camera shot.
She then embraced him in a passionate kiss before hugging him as the interview carried on, all the while glaring at the reporter.
