Delight for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal player will be fit to face Tottenham after injury scare
Arsenal have experienced mixed emotions during the international break, but could have one of their key players available.
In a North London derby showdown on November 23, Arsenal host arch rivals Tottenham in the Premier League with a chance to preserve their lead at the top.
The Gunners entered the international break four points clear of Man City after drawing 2-2 against Sunderland, with David Raya conceding for the first time since September 28.
Mikel Arteta will also have some of his key first-team stars fit for their upcoming fixture run, including captain Martin Odegaard and forwards Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus.
Meanwhile, Arsenal received some good news on one of their players after he picked up an injury during the break.
Riccardo Calafiori will be fit to face Tottenham
While star centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off the pitch with a muscular injury during Brazil’s clash against Senegal, Riccardo Calafiori also suffered a hip problem that saw him miss Italy’s showdown with Moldova on Thursday (November 13).
Arsenal supporters around the globe felt anxious as a result, with the possibility of Myles Lewis-Skelly starting ahead of Calafiori against Tottenham after the 23-year-old dropped out of the Italy squad.
But a fresh update from Fabrizio Romano on X will spark optimism among supporters that their defensive stalwart will be available to face Spurs.
🚨🔴⚪️ Despite leaving Italy camp due to injury, Arsenal expect Riccardo Calafiori to be available from next week. pic.twitter.com/yWrg8ZRA9k
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 16, 2025
“Despite leaving Italy camp due to injury, Arsenal expect Riccardo Calafiori to be available from next week,” Romano wrote.
Arteta has preferred Calafiori over Lewis-Skelly at left-back in 2025/26, perhaps due to his height and physicality from set-pieces.
So, news of him being available from next week will be music to the Spaniard’s ears, as he can play a crucial role in stopping one of Tottenham’s biggest threats.
Calafiori will be key to shutting down Mohammed Kudus
Arsenal’s defence has shipped just five goals in 11 top-flight games this term, setting a record for most clean sheets in a row in the process.
Calafiori, of course, has played a vital role in turning the Gunners into arguably the world’s best defence, and when they face off against Tottenham, he will need to continue his stunning form.
That is because he will be up against Mohammed Kudus, the player with the joint-most completed dribbles of any player across Europe, even surpassing Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
| Most completed dribbles across Europe in 2025/26 |
| Mohammed Kudus – 34 |
| Yann Gboho – 34 |
| Jeremy Doku – 33 |
| Lamine Yamal – 31 |
| Vinicus Junior – 30 |
Spurs signed Kudus from West Ham in the summer, and he’s been one of Thomas Frank’s brightest attacking players.
The Ghanaian is someone who can produce magic and has five goal involvements in 10 league appearances this term.
Calafiori can, therefore, prove once more why he’s one of the best defenders in the Premier League by shutting down Kudus.