Riccardo Calafiori
ARSItaly
Left
May 19, 2002
23
6'2"
190 lb
LB
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Possession Builder
ArsenalRemains out
Calafiori (undisclosed) is out for Sunday's match against Manchester City.
Analysis: Calafiori is not with his team Sunday as he continues to recover, with his undisclosed injury too much to play through. This is now a third straight match out as he misses possibly the most important match of the season, with Piero Hincapie starting in his place.
Trying for Sunday
Calafiori (undisclosed) is questionable for Sunday's match against Manchester City, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "We will try again. Some players are quite close, but the turnaround is short, so we will try tomorrow to push everybody, and if they are in good condition, they will be part of us, and if not, they won't. They haven't been in the last few weeks, unfortunately."
Analysis: Calafiori is a part of the group of players trying to recover for Sunday, with the defender still questionable due to his undisclosed injury. With two matches already missed, they will hope for his return, already suffering a rough loss while he is out. As their starting left-back, he will hope to be fit enough to start if deemed healthy, with Piero Hincapie or Myles Lewis-Skelly as other options at left-back.
Remains out
Calafiori (undisclosed) is out for Wednesday's match against Sporting.
Analysis: Calafiori was doubtful for Wednesday and has now missed the call, with his undisclosed injury too much to play through. This leaves the left-back spot open for the club as they hope to close out a victory at home, with Piero Hincapie taking his spot.
Doubtful against Sporting CP
Calafiori (undisclosed) was not present at Arsenal's open training session alongside Tuesday, leaving his availability for Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Sporting CP in serious doubt, according to James Benge of CBS Sports Football.
Analysis: Calafiori had already been left out of Saturday's squad against Bournemouth without explanation, and his continued absence from training is a concerning sign heading into a crucial European night. The Italian defender has been an important piece of Arsenal's back line this season, therefore his absence will force a reshuffle in the starting XI, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie as the possible options to start at left-back if Calafiori cannot be cleared in time for Wednesday's second leg against the Sportinguistas.
Ruled out against Bournemouth
Calafiori (undisclosed) was left out of the matchday squad for Saturday's clash against Bournemouth, according to coach Mikel Arteta. "Richy was not available today."
Analysis: Calafiori isn't in the matchday squad for Saturday's clash against the Cherries with no information given on the nature of the issue, leaving it unclear whether Calafiori is dealing with a genuine injury or is simply being rested ahead of Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Sporting CP. The Italian defender has been an important piece of Arsenal's back line this season, and the club will be hoping to have him available for the European stage if this turns out to be a precautionary measure rather than anything more serious. Myles Lewis-Skelly is the one holding the left-back spot on Saturday.
Named to bench
Calafiori (undisclosed) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Leverkusen.
Analysis: Calafiori looked to be a no-doubt option for Wednesday after he trained, and this has come to fruition, with the defender an option from the bench. He will likely test his legs and continue to fight for time at left-back with Piero Hincapie moving forward.
Could return versus Leverkusen
Calafiori (undisclosed) is traveling with the squad for Wednesday's UCL matchup against Bayer Leverkusen, with coach Mikel Arteta mentioning that both Calafiori and Leandro Trossard "are a possibility that they are available, and we'll see tomorrow".
Analysis: Calafiori should be available Wednesday, though it remains to be seen if he'll bounce back straight into a starting role or come off the bench after resuming training in during the week. The defender, who got hurt during an FA Cup meeting with Mansfield, had previously seen limited playing time as part of a rotation with Piero Hincapie at left-back, with the Italian offering the most offensive-minded option between those two players.
Training Tuesday
Calafiori (undisclosed) was back in training Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's match against Leverkusen, according to his club.
Analysis: Calafiori was forced off the field in Saturday's FA Cup match but appears to be on the mend and ready for a quick turnaround, with the defender already back in training. This is major news for the club as they get set for a UCL knockout phase bout, earning back another left-back option. The question heading into the match is whether he is fit enough to start, with Piero Hincapie as another option.
Forced off after treatment
Calafiori (undisclosed) received treatment before being forced off in the second half of Saturday's FA Cup clash against Manfield.
Analysis: Calafiori needed treatment before being forced off in the 77th minute of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Mansfield after appearing to pick up an injury. The left-back is set to undergo further evaluation in the coming days to determine the severity of the issue, with Arsenal hoping it proves minor ahead of Wednesday's Champions League showdown with Leverkusen. If he's unable to go for that matchup, the door could open for Piero Hincapie to step into a larger role on the left side of the Gunners' back line.
Picked for bench
Calafiori (undisclosed) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Wolves.
Analysis: Calafiori is fit, and an option after a slight injury left him out over the weekend, with the defender now an option from the bench. He will look to test his legs before returning to a starting role, likely to replace Piero Hincapie at left-back.
Set to play Wednesday
Calafiori (undisclosed) has trained and is an option for Wednesday's match against Wolves, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "He's fine, he was training with us today. He's feeling better, and hopefully he's fit for tomorrow."
Analysis: Calafiori is not going to be sidelined very long after he was dropped from the team in warmups over the weekend, with the defender avoiding any injury, and already an option. He will likely still go through some testing to decide how fit he is, not wanting to risk the defender's health. With 17 starts in 19 appearances, he will expect to return to the starting XI, although they may be cautious and start Myles Lewis-Skelly instead.
Injured during warmups
Calafiori was injured during warmups and is out for Sunday's match against Wigan Athletic.
Analysis: Calafiori had to be replaced from the starting XI Sunday, with the defender injured during warmups and dropping from the team sheet completely. The club will likely see him for further testing after the match, with little available about the situation at the moment. Myles Lewis-Skelly received the start at left-back in his place, as Bukayo Saka replaced him in the starting XI.
In starting XI Wednesday
Calafiori (strain) is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's UCL matchup versus Kairat.
Analysis: Calafiori has been surprisingly included in the initial lineup despite coming off a one-month absence, but it's unclear how much playing time he's ready for. With Myles Lewis-Skelly also featuring against Kairat, the Italian could play in a central spot, focusing on defensive duties while he's on the field.
Features in practice
Calafiori (strain) has trained Tuesday after missing the last month of action due to injury, Simon Collings of The Sun reports.
Analysis: Calafiori might still need more time to be ready to start, but his comeback could be close in upcoming weeks. He should eventually be a solid alternative to Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie at left-back. Prior to the issue, Calafiori racked up 24 shots, 23 crosses, 45 clearances, one goal and three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions.
Another match out
Calafiori (strain) is out for Sunday's match against Manchester United.
Analysis: Calafiori will extend his absence for yet another match, missing an eighth straight game due to a strain. A return for the defender is still up in the air, with no clear return date, having two chances to play this week, facing Kairat on Wednesday and Leeds on Saturday.
Uncertain for Sunday
Calafiori (strain) is uncertain for Sunday's game against Manchester United, manager Mikel Arteta told media during Friday's pre-match press conference. "We still have another training session," Arteta said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, "so we'll see tomorrow, after that, to assess everybody and make a decision, first of all in the squad."
Analysis: Calafiori has yet to play in 2026 due to a muscular strain, but it seems he has a chance of returning to the squad if everything goes well in Saturday's training session. If healthy, Calafiori should contend for a starting role on the left side of the defense. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been playing at left-back in the meantime.
Still needs a few more weeks
Calafiori is set to miss a few more weeks as he recovers from a muscle injury, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "It's a muscle injury. He's progressing, but we don't know. I think it will matter for a few weeks probably, but we don't know exactly when."
Analysis: Calafiori has been out two weeks and will continue his absence, as the defender is still a few weeks away. He's dealing with a muscle strain, and the club is taking his return cautiously to avoid aggravating the injury. With a return date still up in the air, the soonest it appears he could return would be late January, leaving more time for Myles Lewis-Skelly since Piero Hincapie is also dealing with a new injury suffered while playing at left-back.
Still not ready to return
Calafiori (undisclosed) won't be an option for Sunday's Carabao Cup game against Portsmouth, coach Mikel Arteta said in the press conference. "I don't think so. I think that game is going to be too early for him."
Analysis: Calafiori missed the last four games due to an undisclosed injury and will miss a fifth game in a row since Sunday's Carabao Cup game against Portsmouth is coming too early for him. The Italian will hope to be back available for next Saturday's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest since he was a regular starter at left-back for the Gunners prior to his injury. Until then, Piero Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly are the main options to replace him in the defense.
Remains unavailable
Calafiori (undisclosed) is not an option for Thursday's match against Liverpool, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "No, they are out again. I think [they could be back] pretty soon, they have to go to the last stage of the rehab, and if everything goes well, hopefully very soon they will be available for selection."
Analysis: Calafiori is going to sit out another match as he awaits his return to play from an undisclosed injury, with the defender set to miss a fourth straight game due to the injuries. This will leave the likes of Piero Hincapie or Myles Lewis-Skelly to see the start at left-back, as the club continue without their regular. He is nearing the final stages of his recovery, with a return to play potentially coming in their next league match against Nottingham Forest on Jan. 17.
Not playing against Bournemouth
Calafiori (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's clash against Bournemouth, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Friday.
Analysis: Calafiori picked up his current issue during warmups prior to a Dec. 27 matchup versus Brighton. However, little is known about the injury, and he's now set to miss a third successive game. With the Gunners' main left-back still unavailable, Piero Hincapie might be deployed in that position again to take advantage of his defensive strength.
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