Arsenal have been dealt a fresh injury concern as defender Riccardo Calafiori has been forced to make an early return to London from international duty with Italy.
Early Departure from Italy Camp
The 23-year-old left-back departed the Italian national team setup on Saturday, missing their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Norway on Sunday evening. This development was confirmed by prominent journalist Fabrizio Romano, who stated that Calafiori has returned to be assessed by Arsenal's medical staff.
Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso provided context for the decision, revealing, "He tried to be available but he can't force now." This suggests the player made an effort to contribute but was ultimately unable to participate due to his physical condition.
Injury Details and Club Concerns
The issue is believed to be a hip injury, though initial reports from sources like Football London indicate the club does not anticipate serious complications. However, this situation follows earlier claims from Italian media that Calafiori had 'disregarded' Arsenal's preference for him to remain in London during the international break to recover fully.
According to reports from La Repubblica, Italian national team officials, including delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon and manager Gattuso, had encouraged players to prioritise the World Cup qualification campaign. This created a tension between club and country interests regarding the defender's fitness management.
Significance for Arsenal's Title Charge
Calafiori's premature return is a significant worry for manager Mikel Arteta. The Italian defender has been instrumental in Arsenal's Premier League campaign, starting all 11 of their league matches this season as the team maintains a four-point lead at the top of the table.
His potential absence comes as Arsenal prepare for a demanding fixture list, starting with the high-stakes North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday, November 23. The club is currently managing several other injury concerns but is hopeful of welcoming back players like Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz, who are progressing from knee injuries.
Meanwhile, updates on other Arsenal players indicate that captain Martin Odegaard is still some distance from returning, while Gabriel Jesus is expected back from ACL surgery before the new year. Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli are also recovering from hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
