Arsenal have suffered their fair share of injuries already this season, but one Gunners star is keen to make the most of his absence, learning a new language in his spare time
19:27, 08 Jan 2026
Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace
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Riccardo Calafiori has been hampered by injuries this term(Image: (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images))
Injured Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is reportedly utilising his time on the sidelines by learning a fourth language - Portuguese.
Calafiori, 23, has missed the Gunners' last three Premier League fixtures since picking up an "awkward" injury, according to Mikel Arteta, in the build-up to the win over Brighton in December. The Italian was named in the starting line-up for that fixture but ultimately pulled out in warm-up to the game.
Arteta confirmed he and fellow defender Cristhian Mosquera would miss Thursday night's meeting with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, adding: "I think pretty soon they have to go to the last stage of the rehab.
"I think everything goes well, hopefully very soon they will be available for selection."
But according to The Sun, Calafiori's absence is not in vain. They report that since last month, he has been learning to speak Portuguese.
By learning a fourth language, Portuguese, he will be able to deepen his communication with Brazilian team-mates Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, who speak it as their native language.
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For any given match, the 23-year-old could most likely be called upon to link up with Gabriel in a central defensive partnership, or sit beside him as a left-back. In that role he may also operate behind Martinelli or Jesus, depending on Arteta's selections.
Diehard Gunners supporters will already be aware of the fact Calafiori is fluent in Italian having grown up there, and has previously revealed how he has spent time learning English throughout his life.
In 2024 he told Roman Kemp for BBC Sport: "I’ve been learning English since I was a kid. I started maybe with Netflix & with the lyrics of the songs. UK drill."
Riccardo Calafiori during an Arsenal training session
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Riccardo Calafiori during an Arsenal training session(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Lastly, the defender has also elected to learn Spanish in his spare time, despite never taking his playing career to Spain.
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Calafiori has not made public comment on his latest injury troubles as he continues his fight to get back to match fitness.
His only social media activity to date has been a series of wordless Instagram stories depicting his New Year's Eve celebrations with friends.
In his absence, Arteta has started Myles Lewis-Skelly once and Piero Hincapie twice.