Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest may have been defined by goals from Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres, but a quieter moment on the touchline caught the attention of many.
During the second half, assistant referee intervention took an unusual turn when Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal’s new full-back signing, received real-time advice on how to improve his throw-in technique.
The scene unfolded as Calafiori prepared to restart play near the halfway line. The linesman appeared to pause briefly, gesturing with his hands to demonstrate the correct movement and positioning required for a legal throw. Calafiori responded with a smile, nodding in acknowledgment before adjusting his approach.
It was a rare glimpse into the human side of the game—an official not just policing the rules, but actively guiding a player in the middle of competition.
While throw-ins are often seen as routine, their importance in modern football cannot be understated. For a side like Arsenal, who thrive on possession and precision, clean and effective restarts are vital to maintaining momentum.
A poorly executed throw can gift the ball back to the opposition, while a well-timed one can launch an attack. Calafiori, still adapting to life in the Premier League, will no doubt benefit from sharpening even these seemingly minor aspects of his game.
The match itself showed little room for error from Mikel Arteta’s men. Arsenal controlled possession from the outset, with Zubimendi’s brace underlining his growing influence in midfield, and Gyökeres adding the third to seal a dominant win.
Nottingham Forest struggled to cope with the tempo, finding themselves pinned deep for large periods of the contest. Against that backdrop, the Calafiori throw-in episode stood out as a lighthearted yet insightful moment.
More than anything, it symbolized the culture Arteta is building at Arsenal: attention to detail, willingness to learn, and a refusal to ignore the fine margins.
Calafiori’s openness to guidance even in the heat of battle reflects humility that could serve him well in his Arsenal career. For fans, it was a reminder that football is as much about the small details as it is about the goals, and sometimes even a linesman can play a part in a player’s development.
