Arsenal have received a huge injury boost ahead of the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday.
The Gunners are presently four points ahead of second-placed Manchester City in the standings after 11 games into the season.
They have had plenty of forward injuries to deal with, but some of them are expected to return for the upcoming derby at home.
Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke could be fit to make the matchday squad against Tottenham.
However, the major boost today is the fitness of left-back Riccardo Calafiori.
The Italy international returned early from international duty this week after missing the Moldova game due to a hip complaint.
Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that the 23-year-old will be available for the Spurs game after further examination by Arsenal.
He wrote on X: “Understand Arsenal check confirm news from last 24h: Riccardo Calafiori will be available for North London Derby. No injury, no issues. Just overload.”
Calafiori has an injury-plagued debut campaign with the Gunners. He was in and out of the starting XI during the 2024/25 season.
However, the £35 million-rated star has turned around his fortunes this season. He has become an undisputed starter in the league ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The Italian ace has chipped in with one goal and two assists from 11 games, and looks poised to keep his place at left-back against Spurs.
While Calafiori is back and fit, Gabriel Magalhaes is a huge doubt for the derby after sustaining a groin injury playing for Brazil yesterday.
If he is sidelined, manager Mikel Arteta could finally hand Piero Hincapie his first league start alongside William Saliba in central defence.
Hincapie has made just two substitute league appearances since his initial loan move from Bayer Leverkusen on deadline day last summer.
Cristhian Mosquera has been the immediate backup when Saliba has been out. Being left-footed, Hincapie would be a natural replacement for Gabriel in the left centre-back position.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com