Arsenal receive new Riccardo Calafiori injury update as Italy manager reveals match availability

Arsenal left rear Riccardo Calafiori withdrew from Italy The team is struggling with a hip injury, and the Gunners’ belief in the seriousness of his problem has also been revealed.

The former Bolognese did not feature in his side’s 2-0 win over Moldova in 2026 World Cup Qualifying Thursday, after arrived at the Azzurri camp to treat his problem.

Calafiori nevertheless remains with Gennaro Gattuso’s team for their next match against Norway on Sunday, where Italy must win if they are to have any chance of qualifying directly for the World Cup.

However, Gattuso – who reportedly told players to prioritize the national team over club commitments this month – has now confirmed the 23-year-old will return to Arsenal.

“He tried to be available but he can’t force now,” Gattuso told reporters, and Calafiori will now return to London Colney for further assessment before domestic football returns.

Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori withdraws from Italy squad with hip injury

However, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are not expecting a serious injury from Calafiori, who should be in no doubt about his fitness for the Gunners’ upcoming matches.

Mikel ArtetaThe men return from the international break with a high-profile north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, three days before facing Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The Premier League leaders then return to domestic action with another daunting derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on November 30, but all indications are that Calafiori will be available for Arsenal’s next nightmare run.

The Italy international endured a disrupted first season in north London due to injury, but has now established himself as Arteta’s first-choice left-back, starting all 11 Premier League games so far this season.

Calafiori has one goal and two assists in 12 appearances in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign, although he has not played in the Champions League since September’s opening win over Athletic Bilbao.

How can Arsenal and Mikel Arteta replace Riccardo Calafiori?

While there are no major concerns over Calafiori’s fitness, Arteta does not need to unnecessarily risk the Italy international, for whom he has two natural backup options.

Myles Lewis-Skelly And Piero Hincapie are both equal replacements for the 23-year-old, and the former will be eager to feature in the north London derby after being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.

Hincapie is currently away with the Ecuador national team, but the Bayer Leverkusen loanee was selected over Lewis-Skelly to start at left back against Slavia Prague in the Champions League earlier this month.

Arteta also has the option to use Jurrien Bois on the left and holder Ben White at right-back, but the Spaniard is unlikely to deploy the Dutchman on the left unless there is an emergency.