Boost for Arsenal with injured star to return vs Spurs

Amid worrying injury news involving Gabriel Magalhaes, one positive update for Arsenal is that Riccardo Calafiori is expected to be fit this weekend.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

With Gabriel Magalhaes now a major doubt to face Tottenham Hotspur on November 23 due to injury, fans are also worried about whether Riccardo Calafiori will be fit for the match.

Advertisement

Despite being recalled by Italy, Calafiori missed both of his games during the break with a hip injury, returning to Arsenal early.

Still, there is some good news on that front, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the defender will be “100% ready” for the Spurs game. Arsenal carried out their own checks and confirmed there was no serious injury, so the defender should be fit when the club’s football returns this weekend.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Even ignoring Gabriel’s injury, Calafiori’s fitness is understandably under increased scrutiny following his debut campaign at the club.

The left-back was absent from 24 of Arsenal’s 58 matchday matches in 2024/25, more than 40% of the team’s matches, and almost all of those absences were fitness-related.

Advertisement

Things have been very different this season so far, with Calafiori featuring in all 17 of Arsenal’s squads to start the season, making the starting line-up on 12 occasions.

The Italy international only started 16 club matches last campaign, so he is already 75% of the way to matching that total. It would be a shame if the injury struck again after such a positive run.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Although Calafiori was forced to miss the World Cup qualifiers in Italy, it appears he will be able to return to the field ahead of Arsenal’s matches against Spurs, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.