Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that defender Riccardo Calafiori has not yet returned to training ahead of the highly anticipated north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on October 29, 2023. Calafiori was part of the Italian national team squad earlier this month but withdrew due to a minor injury. Arteta stated, “He’s been carrying a few things and we had to bring him back. He hasn’t trained yet.”
The 23-year-old has been a key player for Arsenal, starting all 11 Premier League matches this season. Arteta added that another training session is scheduled for Saturday, where the team will assess Calafiori’s fitness for the derby. He noted that Calafiori had a slight issue that prompted Arsenal to rest him during a recent Champions League match, a decision that was understood by the national team staff.
In addition to Calafiori, Arsenal is grappling with uncertainty surrounding several first-team players. Key players Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres are all dealing with injuries, while Gabriel is expected to be sidelined for several weeks due to a thigh injury sustained while representing Brazil.
Arteta expressed cautious optimism about the potential return of injured players for the derby. “We put a lot of energy in the international break with all the medical staff to try and bring them back as quickly as possible,” he said. He acknowledged that while some players are nearing a return, it may be too soon for them to contribute on Sunday.
Arsenal’s injury woes this season have been significant, with a total of 12 injuries affecting the squad, placing them fifth in the Premier League for injury counts. This season has seen players like Odegaard and William Saliba facing multiple injury setbacks. Arteta commented on the challenge of managing injuries, saying, “Injuries are part of football. The demands players have in the way the schedule is more than ever, and that’s going to bring more injuries.”
In a positive development for Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus has returned to full training after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in January. Arteta revealed that the 28-year-old has been fully involved in training for the past two weeks and will participate in internal matches before rejoining the first team.
This weekend’s match against Tottenham marks the beginning of a crucial period for Arsenal, which includes upcoming fixtures against Bayern Munich and Chelsea, followed by a demanding schedule of 14 matches in the next eight weeks. As the team navigates injuries and prepares for intense competition, the outcome of the derby could have significant implications for Arsenal’s season.
