Riccardo Calafiori has played 12 times in all competitions for Arsenal this season.
The versatile defender has impressed with his ability to invert into midfield and impact play from deep. He is proving vital to Mikel Arteta’s system, having struggled with injuries last season.
The 23-year-old picked up a hip injury during international duty this week. TuttoSport reported he was training individually and was handed a personalised training programme.
Italy manager Rino Gattuso then praised the Arsenal man for his commitment, despite the injury.
While that may have caused the Gunners concern, there’s now relief.
La Repubblica – via Goal Italia, note that Arsenal wanted Calafiori to sit out for both of Italy’s games during the ongoing international break. It was the player who made the decision to join the Azzurri side.
Now, he has been excluded from the squad for the Moldova game on Thursday due to the hip injury. He will watch the World Cup qualifying tie from the stands.
There is also a possibility that he misses the game against Norway on Sunday. If that happens, Calafiori will fly back to London earlier than expected.
This will be a big positive to Arsenal, who already have multiple players out injured.