Riccardo Calafiori’s injury history analysed after Arsenal star suffers blow on international duty
Arsenal’s incredible form across all competitions is made all the more impressive considering the injury troubles Mikel Arteta has faced.
Saka missed three matches with a hamstring injury, while the absent Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke will return after the international break.
But just as Arteta is beginning to welcome back some of his first-team stars, left-back Riccardo Calafiori has suffered a hip problem on international duty and is expected to miss Italy’s World Cup qualifier on Thursday (November 13).
Calafiori has played a crucial role in Arsenal’s relentless start to the 2025/26 campaign by playing in each of their first 11 Premier League matches.
Arteta has preferred Calafiori over Myles Lewis-Skelly, presumably due to his height and physicality in defence, but could now be without the 23-year-old.
Riccardo Calafiori’s injury history
When Arsenal signed Calafiori from Bologna in 2024, the Gunners were warned about his worrying medical record.
The 12-cap Italy international missed 130 days through injury before moving to the Emirates Stadium, and then saw that trend continue in North London.
Calafiori missed 28 games during the 2024/25 campaign with knee and muscle injuries, amounting to a whopping 173 days in total.
As a result, the versatile defender only played 19 times in the Premier League, with Lewis-Skelly establishing himself as a key player in Arteta’s system.
But whilst he’s wrestled the starting jersey in 2025/26, supporters will be worried that another injury could disrupt his rhythm.
What Mikel Arteta has said about Calafiori
Arsenal return from the international break with a derby showdown against closest rivals Tottenham on November 23, before hosting Bayern Munich in the Champions League and travelling to Chelsea.
It’s arguably the Gunners’ most difficult run of fixtures to date, and their squad will be tested to the maximum.
That is why they will be praying Calafiori is fit, and speaking after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Burnley on November 1, Arteta praised the Italian’s defensive and attacking contributions.
“Very good. He’s been really stable, some big performances,” Arteta said. “He’s a big contributor to what we’re doing defensively as well. He gives us a lot in attack with his position and his threat. He continues to create chaos for the opposition.“