Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt for Sunday's North London derby against Tottenham after returning early from international duty with a hip problem. The Italian left-back left the Italy camp after it became clear he would not be fit to feature in World Cup qualifiers, with manager Gennaro Gattuso saying: 'He tried to be available, but he can't force it now.'
Calafiori played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Sunderland, but a subsequent hip issue emerged. Reports suggested he was training alone while with Italy, and Arsenal requested he return to London for further assessment. He arrived back in north London ahead of schedule.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provided an update on the 22-year-old's condition ahead of Sunday's match. 'He wasn't available during the international break, he's been carrying a few things and we had to bring him back,' Arteta said. 'He hasn't trained yet, we have a session tomorrow so we will see.'
There remains a chance Calafiori could feature if he returns to fitness before the weekend, though it is a tight turnaround. Fantasy Premier League currently rates his chance of playing at 75%. Valued at £5.8m and owned by 15.5% of managers, he has amassed 61 points this season.
Calafiori's potential absence adds to Arteta's defensive headaches, with Gabriel Magalhaes already sidelined by a thigh problem. The derby is crucial for both sides, with Arsenal currently top of the Premier League despite a spate of injuries.
