Riccardo Calafiori has returned to Arsenal from international duty with Italy in another injury blow for the Gunners
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
14:28, 15 Nov 2025Updated 14:49, 15 Nov 2025
Riccardo Calafiori boards a plane
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Riccardo Calafiori has returned to Arsenal(Image: FIGC via Getty Images)
Arsenal have been dealt another injury blow, as Riccardo Calafiori has returned to north London from international duty prematurely.
As per Fabrizio Romano, the defender left the Italian national camp on Saturday, ahead of his country's 2026 World Cup qualifier with Norway which is slated for Sunday evening.
Taking to social media to break the news, Romano wrote: "Riccardo Calafiori has left Italy camp today and returns to London to be assessed by Arsenal staff."
He also added that Italy coach, Gennaro Gattuso had said: "He tried to be available but he can’t force now," on matters pertaining to Calafiori.
It is understood that Arsenal staff have been informed of Calafiori's return to the English capital, and they are not expecting a major problem or issue. It comes as the 23-year-old reportedly 'ignored' Arsenal's request for him to stay in London during the international break, as per Italian media.
The youngster has been a huge part of Mikel Arteta's table-topping side this term, having started in each of the Gunners' 11 Premier League outings thus far.
As Arsenal have had to navigate a number of injuries to earn a four-point lead on second-place Manchester City, it would be understandable if the club are eager to limit any further issues headed into a hectic schedule of fixtures.
Riccardo Calafiori runs with the ball
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Riccardo Calafiori has been instrumental for Arsenal this season(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Reports from Italy on Wednesday suggested that Calafiori had been training individually, before he missed the match against Moldova the following evening completely. While it is understood that he has sustained a hip injury, it is thought that it isn't anything too serious.
La Repubblica also claimed that Arsenal had preferred that Calafiori avoided joining his nation on international duty so he could recover from the hip injury, in a bid not to aggravate the issue. However, the report also alleged that Gattuso and delegation chief, Gianluigi Buffon, urged players to prioritise the national team to fight for qualification for next summer's World Cup in North America.
It comes as Arsenal hope to welcome back a host of first-team players when they return to Premier League action on Sunday, November 23 to face bitter rivals Tottenham.
Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz have made huge progress with regards to recovering from respective knee injuries. While it was suggested that both could have appeared during Arsenal U21s clash with Cardiff City on Tuesday night, neither man was present for the 3-1 Football League Trophy loss.
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Elsewhere, Norway boss Stale Solbakken believes Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is still "some distance away" from his own return. Gabriel Jesus is also poised to make a comeback ahead of the new year, following ACL surgery in late January.
Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli are also recovering from respective hamstring and groin issues sustained ahead of the international break.
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