Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is expected to miss Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova on Thursday night due to injury.
The left-back has a hip problem, and he is currently unable to take part in full training sessions.
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Some Gunners supporters on X want Calafiori to return to London, while others are concerned that he won’t be fit for the derby against Tottenham:
Send him home
— GreenGooner (@GreenG30322) November 12, 2025
U better be ready for NLD
— Charley AFC (@CharlesNzeh) November 12, 2025
Please send him back home
— Don Jay of Arsenal (@Donjaytrix001) November 12, 2025
He’ll be back for spurs, no doubt about it
— jake (@jake_ml1) November 12, 2025
Come back Ricci. Gattuso can call up Udogie.
— SIR ALEX WENGER (@siralexwengee) November 12, 2025
Game time for MLS
— Mr. Laureno (@LaurenoMr38651) November 13, 2025
Just bring him back to arsenal
— AFC τ-καy✪ (@TKayy1z) November 12, 2025
Calafiori had managed to stay injury-free
The Italian’s first season at the Emirates was plagued by fitness issues. He missed 175 days due to knee, calf and muscular injuries.
Since the start of the 2025/26 campaign, though, Calafiori had not missed a single minute due to his fitness until now.
The defender is said to be on his own individual training programme at the moment, so he is not expected to be sidelined for too long, but it remains to be seen whether he will be available for the Spurs match.
Arsenal have a ready-made replacement
Calafiori’s injuries actually allowed Myles Lewis-Skelly to establish himself in the senior setup last season, and he could be set to capitalise on his teammate’s misfortune once again if he’s ruled out for a longer period of time.
Lewis-Skelly has had to be patient for playing opportunities this campaign. The 19-year-old has started four games, none of which have been in the Premier League.
Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here