A summer signing from Pescara, 16 year-old striker Arena struck on debut this week in the Coppa Italia defeat to Torino.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Favo told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "An incredible joy. We were watching the match in training camp, and I heard a huge explosion from his Under-18 teammates.
"He deserves it; he's a fantastic lad who always wants to improve. An uncommon quality."
Favo also said: "As Gasp (Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini) said, he's physically more developed than average for his age. Having grown up in an Anglo-Saxon environment (Arena was born in Australia), he always applies intensity and pressure, and is incredibly hungry.
"Whether he's a first or second striker, it makes little difference."