Riccardo Calafiori did not make Arsenal’s matchday squad against Southampton
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Mikel Arteta believes Riccardo Calafiori needs to have a “clear pre-season” so he can shine for Arsenal next year.
Calafiori rounded off an injury-hit debut campaign by missing Arsenal’s final game of the season at Southampton.
The Italian was struggling for fitness in the build-up to the game, which the Gunners won 2-1, and Arteta after revealed the club decided not to risk him.
Calafiori, who joined Arsenal last summer for around £40million from Bologna, has had five spells out injured this season and he has been absent for over 100 days.
Arteta hopes the defender can recover now and use pre-season to get fit and firing for the next campaign.
“We pushed Ricci a lot to make sure that he was fit for the last few games and he was two, three weeks ahead of schedule in his injury,” said Arteta.
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“He’s been constantly dragged into areas where he was really, really stretched and he wasn’t comfortable the last week or two with a lot of things.
“Yes, they (Calafiori and Jurrien Timber) wanted to carry on - but we decided to give him (Calafiori) a break. He needs a rest.
“He needs to now make sure that he has a proper preparation, a clear pre-season to give him the best chance to have a successful season next season.”