Arsenal duo recognised after perfect start to Premier League title defence
Riccardo Calafiori and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta have both been nominated for the Premier League’s first monthly awards of the 2026/27 season.
Calafiori is among eight contenders for the EA Sports Player of the Month award after playing a prominent role in Arsenal’s perfect start to their title defence.
The Italy international started both Premier League matches in August as the Gunners followed a 3-0 victory over Coventry City with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Aston Villa.
Calafiori provided two assists across those matches while helping Arsenal keep consecutive clean sheets.
His first arrived against Coventry when his low delivery created the opening goal for Kai Havertz at the Emirates Stadium.
The defender was decisive again at Villa Park, breaking forward before finding Bukayo Saka for the only goal of a difficult contest.
Those attacking contributions have been accompanied by an outstanding collective defensive record, with Arsenal allowing their opponents just one shot on target across their opening two league fixtures.
Calafiori is the only defender on an eight-man shortlist that also includes Rayan Cherki, Bruno Fernandes, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Mamadou Sangare, Konstantinos Tzolakis and Yoane Wissa.
His nomination represents an encouraging start to his third season in England after injuries disrupted significant periods of his first two campaigns following his move from Bologna.
Arteta has meanwhile been shortlisted for the Barclays Manager of the Month award after overseeing Arsenal’s 100 per cent league record.
The Spaniard is competing against Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic and Manchester City’s Enzo Maresca.
Arsenal’s contrasting victories strengthened Arteta’s case, with the champions comfortably overcoming Coventry before showing greater resilience to collect three points against Aston Villa.
The Gunners controlled much of the contest at Villa Park despite struggling to create chances and successfully protected their narrow advantage after Saka’s second-half breakthrough.
Arsenal are one of the two Premier League teams yet to concede this season alongside promoted Hull, although Arteta’s side have faced considerably fewer shots on target.
Arteta is already a nine-time winner of the monthly managerial prize, with his most recent success coming during Arsenal’s title-winning 2025/26 campaign.
Supporters can vote for both awards until 12pm BST on Monday, September 7.
Public votes will be combined with those of experts and, for the player award, Premier League club captains before both winners are announced on Friday, September 11.
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